Why Is Meta’s Yann LeCun In The Spotlight Today?

• Yann LeCun began early talks to raise funding for a new venture focused on next-generation AI models.
• The report of his exit from Meta follows Zuckerberg’s sweeping overhaul of the company’s artificial intelligence division in July. 
• Meta’s shares tumbled more than 12% in late October on an increased capex forecast for 2026. 

Yann LeCun, Meta Platforms Inc.’s (META) Chief AI Scientist, is reportedly preparing to leave the company to launch his own start-up. 

According to a Financial Times report, LeCun, who won the Turing Award and is widely regarded as a pioneer of deep learning, has informed colleagues of his plans to depart in the coming months. 

He has also begun early talks to raise funding for a new venture focused on next-generation AI models. 

Meta’s Transformation Of AI Strategy

The move comes even as Mark Zuckerberg accelerates a sweeping transformation of the company’s AI strategy to compete with leaders such as OpenAI and Alphabet Inc.’s Google.

In October, Meta eliminated approximately 600 positions from its artificial intelligence unit as part of a broader effort to streamline its operations.

Meta Platforms’ stock traded over 1% lower on Tuesday, after the morning bell. On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around the stock shifted to ‘bullish’ from ‘extremely bullish’ territory the previous day, amid ‘high’ message volume levels. 

Superintelligence Division 

The company decided to shift its focus away from long-term research within its Fundamental AI Research Lab, or FAIR, which LeCun founded in 2013. Instead, Meta is now focusing on the rapid deployment of AI models and products, according to the report. 

Zuckerberg brought in Alexandr Wang, the 28-year-old founder of Scale AI, in a $14.3 billion deal that gave Meta nearly half ownership of his company and placed him in charge of a new ‘superintelligence’ division. 

The report cited that LeCun has been increasingly at odds with Zuckerberg’s vision. The timing of his departure underscores growing challenges as Meta’s shares tumbled more than 12% in late October after Zuckerberg signaled that AI spending could exceed $100 billion in 2026.

META stock has gained over 6% in the last 12 months. 

Also See: Datavault AI Raises 2026 Outlook Amid Surge In Tokenized Asset Deal Interests

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