Meta hires Apple AI expert as it slows hiring plans

Meta has poached an AI executive from Apple even as it plans to slow hiring. The move comes as Meta continues to invest in AI research and development. The executive will join Meta's AI team, which is led by Jason Mars, a former Stanford University researcher. Mars was hired by Meta in 2019 to lead the company's AI research efforts. The executive poached from Apple will join Mars and other AI researchers at Meta, which is also hiring researchers from other top tech companies.

In a strategic move that reflects both caution and ambition, Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) has paused AI hiring while simultaneously poaching an executive from Apple. This dual approach underscores Meta's ongoing commitment to AI research and development, even as it navigates the complex landscape of AI investment and execution.

The hiring pause, reported by the Wall Street Journal and CNBC [3], comes after Meta added over 50 researchers and engineers to its AI division in the past year. This rapid expansion, coupled with significant investments in infrastructure and talent acquisition, has led to internal reorganization and broader market concerns about AI investment sustainability. The pause is aimed at streamlining operations and improving efficiency within the AI division.

Meanwhile, Meta has secured an executive from Apple to join its AI team, led by Jason Mars, a former Stanford University researcher. The executive will join Mars and other AI researchers at Meta, which is also actively hiring researchers from other top tech companies. This acquisition further solidifies Meta's position as a key player in the AI race, despite the ongoing pause in hiring.

Meta's long-term AI vision is evident in its $65-72 billion 2025 AI R&D budget [1], which aims to achieve "personal superintelligence" through investments in advanced AI models and infrastructure. The company's recent deal with Google Cloud for cloud computing services, valued at at least $10 billion over six years [2], underscores its commitment to rapidly scaling its AI capabilities.

However, the path to achieving this vision is fraught with challenges. Regulatory pressures, such as the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), pose significant risks to Meta's ad revenue, while competitors like Google and Apple are also investing heavily in AI. Meta must navigate these challenges while balancing short-term financial gains with long-term AI ambitions.

For investors, Meta's dual-track strategy of short-term ad monetization and long-term AI dominance presents both opportunities and risks. The company's strong financial position and leadership in AI ad tech suggest a cautious bullish stance. However, investors should closely monitor CAPEX trends and regulatory developments.

References:
[1] https://www.ainvest.com/news/meta-strategic-ai-bet-implications-ad-tech-sector-2508/
[2] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-22/meta-signs-10-billion-google-cloud-computing-deal-amid-ai-race
[3] https://www.ainvest.com/news/meta-pauses-ai-hiring-rethinks-future-superintelligence-2508/