Meta's $6.84B Trading Volume Ranks 8th as AI Talent Exodus and Leadership Splits Spur Stock Decline

Meta (META) fell 0.49% on September 2, with a trading volume of $6.84 billion, ranking eighth in market activity. The stock’s decline reflects ongoing instability within its artificial intelligence division, where high-profile departures and structural reorganization have sparked concerns about operational coherence.

The company’s Superintelligence Labs (MSL), a cornerstone of Meta’s $14.3 billion AI investment, has seen key talent exit. Shengjia Zhao, co-creator of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, reportedly threatened to resign shortly after joining, while researchers like Rishabh Agarwal and Ethan Knight left within weeks. Internal sources attribute the attrition to bureaucratic friction, unclear strategic direction, and resistance from long-serving employees whose roles have been diminished under new leadership.

Leadership tensions further complicate Meta’s AI ambitions. CEO Mark Zuckerberg and newly hired Scale AI founder Alexandr Wang reportedly struggle to align on timelines for achieving “superintelligence.” Wang, who leads the cutting-edge TBD unit, faces challenges integrating his team into Meta’s existing structure. The company has paused most AI hiring, prioritizing business-critical roles, as outlined in an internal memo cited by the Financial Times.

Meta’s efforts to attract top talent have drawn scrutiny. Jian Zhang, Apple’s former lead AI robotics researcher, joined Meta’s Robotics Studio, adding to a wave of departures from competitors. However, the rapid hiring spree has led to a “revolving door” effect, with some recruits returning to former employers like OpenAI. This volatility raises questions about Meta’s ability to retain expertise amid frequent restructurings.

Despite these challenges, Meta maintains that attrition is typical for large organizations and denies internal tensions around its AI goals. The company emphasized that Zuckerberg remains committed to accelerating progress, though conflicting priorities and leadership shifts continue to test the division’s stability.

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