Tensions at Meta: Why Mark Zuckerberg’s Highest-Paid AI Hire Is Reportedly Unhappy

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Meta Platforms’ ambitious push to dominate the artificial intelligence race has entered a turbulent phase. Recent reports suggest growing internal tensions between Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and the company’s most high-profile and highest-paid AI hire, Alexandr Wang. The developments raise important questions about leadership style, corporate culture, and the future direction of Meta’s AI strategy at a time when the global competition for artificial intelligence supremacy is intensifying.

In June 2025, Meta made headlines by agreeing to acquire a 49% stake in Scale AI for a staggering $14.8 billion. As part of this landmark deal, Scale AI’s founder and CEO, Alexandr Wang, was brought into Meta to lead its newly created “superintelligence” laboratory. At just 28 years old, Wang is widely regarded as an AI prodigy, having built Scale AI into one of the most influential data infrastructure companies powering modern AI systems. His arrival was positioned as the centerpiece of Mark Zuckerberg’s AI reboot, signaling Meta’s intent to challenge rivals such as OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic.

To attract top-tier talent, Zuckerberg reportedly approved nine-figure compensation packages for several AI researchers and executives, triggering what many in Silicon Valley have described as a new poaching war. Wang, now one of the highest-paid executives at Meta, became the public face of this renewed AI push. However, despite the financial incentives and public optimism, reports indicate that the partnership between Zuckerberg and Wang may be far from smooth.

According to a report by the Financial Times, Wang has privately expressed frustration with Zuckerberg’s hands-on management approach. Sources familiar with the situation claim that Wang feels Zuckerberg’s micromanagement of Meta’s AI initiatives is “suffocating” and is slowing down progress rather than accelerating it. The report suggests that tensions have been quietly building for months, with cracks now beginning to show at the executive level.

Zuckerberg is known for his deep personal involvement in Meta’s major technological shifts, from the company’s pivot to mobile to its aggressive bet on the metaverse. His AI strategy appears to follow a similar pattern, with the CEO maintaining a tight grip on decision-making. While this approach has worked for Zuckerberg in the past, critics argue that it may clash with the expectations of senior hires like Wang, who are accustomed to autonomy and rapid execution.

Internally, some Meta employees are also questioning whether Wang is fully prepared for the challenges of managing large teams within a massive corporate structure. While Wang is highly respected for his expertise in AI data services, skeptics point out that he lacks extensive experience running large-scale research organizations inside a company as complex as Meta. Others argue that his strengths lie more in enabling AI development rather than leading frontier research breakthroughs himself.

Adding to the friction is a philosophical divide over Meta’s fundamental approach to AI development. For years, Meta has championed open-source AI models, positioning itself as a leader in transparency and collaboration. However, Wang’s superintelligence team is reportedly pushing for a closed-model strategy, keeping Meta’s next-generation AI systems secret and proprietary. This proposed shift represents a dramatic departure from Meta’s long-standing open-source ethos and has caused discomfort among the company’s old guard.

The leadership shake-up has also resulted in significant organizational changes. Meta has reportedly abandoned its previous frontier AI model, known internally as “Behemoth,” after disappointing performance in internal tests delayed its release. The company’s AI division has now been reorganized into four distinct groups focused on research, superintelligence development, products, and infrastructure. While the restructuring is intended to bring clarity and focus, it has also intensified internal rivalries and uncertainty.

As Meta’s new AI vision has taken shape, several high-profile departures have followed. Longtime chief legal officer Jennifer Newstead was recently poached by Apple, while chief revenue officer John Hegeman announced his exit to launch a startup. Most notably, Meta’s renowned chief AI scientist and Turing Award winner Yann LeCun is also reportedly leaving to pursue a new AI initiative. LeCun is said to have taken issue with reporting to Wang, particularly as funding for his long-term research was reduced under the new leadership structure.

These departures underscore the growing pains Meta faces as it attempts to reinvent itself as an AI-first company. While Zuckerberg’s willingness to invest billions demonstrates his commitment to winning the AI race, the internal discord suggests that money alone may not be enough. Balancing visionary leadership with operational freedom remains a delicate challenge, especially when integrating high-profile talent with strong opinions and established reputations.

Ultimately, the situation at Meta highlights a broader issue confronting many technology giants today: how to foster innovation at scale without stifling it through excessive control. Whether Zuckerberg and Wang can reconcile their differences may determine not only the success of Meta’s superintelligence ambitions but also the company’s position in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. As the competition grows fiercer, Meta’s ability to align leadership, culture, and strategy will be tested like never before.