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Yann LeCun Reportedly Leaving Meta to Launch World-Models Startup

The reported exit underscores Meta’s pivot to Alexandr Wang’s product‑heavy AI strategy following a multibillion‑dollar Scale AI deal.

Overview

  • Financial Times reports LeCun has told colleagues he plans to leave in the coming months and is in early talks to raise funds for a new venture.
  • The planned startup would focus on “world models,” reflecting LeCun’s view that large language models alone will not achieve human‑like reasoning.
  • His departure tracks a broader reorganization that created Meta Superintelligence Labs, shifted his reporting line to Alexandr Wang, and followed an underwhelming Llama 4 release.
  • Meta has reportedly invested about $14.3 billion for a 49% stake in Scale AI, recruited high‑paid talent for LLM development, cut roughly 600 AI research roles, and lost leaders including Joelle Pineau.
  • Meta shares fell around 1% to 1.2% in early trading after the reports as investors questioned the payoff from the company’s heavy AI spending.