Meta Appoints ChatGPT Co-Creator as Chief Scientist for AI Superintelligence Lab
Meta has hired Shengjia Zhao, a co-creator of ChatGPT, as chief scientist for its AI Superintelligence Lab, signaling a bold push into advanced AI. This move, backed by billions in investments, aims to rival tech giants like OpenAI and Google.
Highlights
- Meta appoints Shengjia Zhao, ChatGPT co-creator, as chief scientist of its AI Superintelligence Lab.
- The lab aims to develop AGI for consumer products, backed by billions in AI infrastructure investments.
- Move intensifies AI talent war, positioning Meta to rival OpenAI and Google in the race for AI dominance.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has taken a significant step toward dominating the artificial intelligence (AI) landscape by appointing Shengjia Zhao as the chief scientist of its newly formed Superintelligence Lab. Announced by CEO Mark Zuckerberg on July 26, 2025, this strategic hire underscores Meta’s commitment to advancing AI technologies and competing with industry leaders like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft. Zhao, a former OpenAI researcher and co-creator of ChatGPT, brings unparalleled expertise to Meta’s ambitious AI endeavors.
Who is Shengjia Zhao?
Shengjia Zhao is a prominent figure in AI research, renowned for his pivotal role in developing ChatGPT and GPT-4, alongside OpenAI’s mini models like 4.1 and o3. Before joining Meta, Zhao led efforts in synthetic data generation at a leading AI research firm, showcasing his ability to innovate in creating high-quality datasets for training advanced AI models. His expertise in large language models and reasoning systems makes him a key asset for Meta’s AI aspirations. Zhao will report directly to Zuckerberg and Alexandr Wang, Meta’s chief AI officer and former CEO of Scale AI, acquired by Meta for $14 billion earlier this year.
The Role of the Superintelligence Lab
Meta’s Superintelligence Lab is designed to spearhead the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI), AI systems capable of performing complex tasks with human-like reasoning. Unlike Meta’s previous AI efforts focused on social media enhancements, this lab aims to create “personal super intelligence” for daily use, integrating AI into consumer products like Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and virtual reality platforms. The lab’s formation is part of Meta’s broader strategy to invest hundreds of billions in AI infrastructure, including data centers like the planned Prometheus facility, set to launch in 2026 with over 1GW capacity.
A Multibillion-Dollar AI Push
Meta’s appointment of Zhao is part of a larger, multibillion-dollar strategy to dominate the AI sector. The company has been aggressively hiring top AI talent from competitors, including Google, Apple, Anthropic, and OpenAI. Recent hires include researchers Mark Lee and Tom Gunter from Apple, further bolstering Meta’s AI capabilities. Additionally, Meta’s acquisition of Scale AI has strengthened its data annotation and AI training infrastructure, positioning it to compete with OpenAI’s GPT-5, expected to launch in August 2025. This talent war reflects the growing importance of AI expertise in shaping the future of technology.
Industry Implications and Competition
Zhao’s move to Meta has sparked discussions about the intensifying competition in the AI industry. Posts on X highlight the sentiment that Meta is “done playing” and aims to lead in open-source AGI development, a shift from its earlier focus on the Behemoth AI model, which may transition to closed development. This strategic pivot could challenge OpenAI’s dominance, especially as Meta collaborates with AWS to offer $200,000 in cloud credits to startups using its open-source Llama model. The industry is watching closely as Meta’s investments and talent acquisitions reshape the AI landscape.
Meta’s Broader AI Vision
Beyond the Superintelligence Lab, Meta is integrating AI across its ecosystem. AI-powered tools are enhancing content moderation on Instagram and Facebook, while innovations in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are being developed for Oculus and other platforms. The company’s focus on personal AI assistants aims to transform user experiences, from smart glasses for the visually impaired to AI-driven advertising solutions. Meta’s recent tweak to its advertising model, using less personal data, has also drawn attention amid EU scrutiny, reflecting its efforts to balance innovation with regulatory compliance.
Future Outlook
With Zhao at the helm, Meta’s Superintelligence Lab is poised to accelerate AI research, potentially introducing groundbreaking consumer applications by 2026. The company’s massive investments in data centers and talent signal a long-term commitment to AI leadership. As the tech industry evolves, Meta’s strategic moves could redefine how AI integrates into daily life, challenging competitors and setting new standards for innovation.
