Meta has recently shifted its focus towards AI hardware devices. The company has seen success with its Meta Ray-Ban AI smart glasses, selling over 7 million units. Reports suggest that Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, is now intensifying its hardware efforts by establishing a dedicated team within its Superintelligence Labs (MSL).
According to Business Insider, the Meta Superintelligence Labs division, under the leadership of Alexandr Wang, is in the process of forming a specialized hardware team. This team is expected to operate independently from the Reality Labs division, which was responsible for products like the Meta Ray-Bans and developments in the metaverse.
The Meta Superintelligence Labs division plays a crucial role in developing the company’s future AI products, including agentic AI. Engineers from the Reality Labs division have reportedly transitioned to MSL to work on AI software prototypes using Reality Labs hardware.
While the new hardware team will function separately from Reality Labs, collaboration between the two divisions is anticipated. Notably, Meta recently downsized its workforce by laying off 700 employees, including some from Reality Labs.
The upcoming team is set to focus on creating new hardware devices beyond smart glasses and VR headsets, although specifics about the planned devices remain undisclosed. Rui Xu, a seasoned engineer, has been appointed to lead the hardware division within MSL. Xu’s experience includes leading hardware at Dreamer, an AI agent startup, and working on smart devices at ByteDance in China.
Meta is not alone in its pursuit of AI-native hardware expansion. OpenAI is poised to launch its initial AI hardware device, designed by former Apple chief designer Jony Ive. Apple is also reportedly developing AI smart glasses, while London-based phonemaker Nothing is gearing up to introduce its own smart products later this year.
In a bid to enhance its AI capabilities, Meta continues to strengthen its presence in the AI landscape. The company has previously acquired AI startups such as Moltbook and Manus AI, focusing on agentic AI. Meta’s efforts extend to encouraging employees to leverage AI tools at work, with Mark Zuckerberg himself said to use an AI CEO agent to aid in his tasks.
Despite its AI advancements, Meta is considering job cuts to manage costs. The tech giant may potentially reduce its workforce by up to 15,000 employees. Similar actions have been taken by other tech companies like Oracle and Amazon, which have already laid off numerous employees.
In conclusion, Meta’s strategic moves in AI hardware development underscore its commitment to innovation and technological advancement in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.