Meta Appoints Former Google DeepMind Director to Lead Struggling AI Lab Amid Mass Researcher Exodus
Summary
Meta appoints former Google DeepMind director Robert Fergus to rescue its struggling FAIR lab as researchers flee en masse to competitors and the company's own GenAI division.
Key Points
- Meta appoints Robert Fergus, former Google DeepMind research director, to lead its Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) lab
- FAIR faces significant challenges as researchers leave en masse for other companies and Meta's newer GenAI group that developed Llama 4
- The leadership change follows former VP of AI Research Joelle Pineau's departure in April for new opportunities