Mark Zuckerberg has shifted gears; from selling us on the metaverse to now positioning himself as the harbinger of superintelligence. After his previous pivot, should we trust him again?
Elon Musk once derisively referred to him as “Zuck the Fourteenth,” comparing Meta’s CEO to France’s extravagant King Louis XIV—known for his massive ego and brazen excess. This analogy holds weight as Zuckerberg recently emerged in headlines, touting himself as the new AI leader in Silicon Valley.
But let’s take a step back.
Not too long ago, Zuckerberg proclaimed that the metaverse would define humanity’s future. In a slick presentation on October 28, 2021, he rebranded Facebook to Meta Platforms, asserting, “The metaverse is the next frontier.” This presented an enticing vision: a fully immersive 3D virtual world where we would socialize, work, and live as digital avatars, all aided by Meta’s VR headsets and smart glasses.
Meta invested nearly $20 billion into Reality Labs—the division focused on creating this digital utopia—in just a single year. The dream? A flawless transition from our physical reality into a vibrant virtual space.
Sadly, that dream remains unfulfilled. Despite the significant investment, user adoption lagged. Meta’s main metaverse platform, Horizon Worlds, struggled to maintain interest. Users found the headsets cumbersome, the software riddled with bugs, and the purpose unclear. Ultimately, the metaverse didn’t resonate with the public.
Now, Zuckerberg aims to convince us he is spearheading the next major leap: artificial general intelligence (AGI). This is considered the holy grail of AI, where machines exceed human intelligence across the board. It’s transitioning from mere science fiction into reality.
However, there’s a clear challenge. Meta is trailing behind. Companies like OpenAI, Google’s Gemini, and China’s DeepSeek have advanced further with superior models and tools. While Meta’s LLaMA models are competent, they barely make a splash in the competitive landscape. The company’s most notable achievement thus far? Making their large language models open-source.
In light of this, Zuckerberg is ramping up his efforts by heavily investing in talent acquisition.
In what appears to be a bold recruitment strategy, Meta is offering substantial incentives to attract top AI researchers, with reports suggesting some offers exceed €93 million (approximately $100 million). Notable talent lured to Meta includes Alexandr Wang (founder of Scale AI), Nat Friedman (former GitHub CEO), and multiple ex-OpenAI professionals like Shengjia Zhao, Shuchao Bi, Jiahui Yu, and Hongyu Ren.
In recent announcements, Zuckerberg unveiled the establishment of Meta Superintelligence Labs, intended to centralize AI initiatives and outpace competitors. In his internal memo, he asserted that Meta aims to pioneer personal superintelligence—a form of AI designed to manage your schedule, guide your decisions, and serve as your personal assistant.
And he’s made it clear he’s not stopping the hiring spree anytime soon.
This marks a dramatic yet strategic change. AI has quickly moved from hype to reality, reshaping various aspects of our lives and work. Regardless of how you feel about it, AI is a central player in shaping our future.
But should we really accept Zuckerberg as the face of this new era?
After all, this is the same individual who once envisioned a legless avatar in VR as our grand future. The same person who invested billions into a virtual world that failed to capture public interest. Now, he’s asking us to trust him leading the way in AGI, a technology with the potential to transform societies, economies, and the job landscape.
Zuckerberg isn’t an AI visionary; he’s a competitive strategist looking to buy his way to the top. He couldn’t outperform TikTok, so he replicated Reels. Unable to acquire Snapchat, he introduced Stories. Now, he’s leveraging the same model with AI: attract the brightest minds, market a big vision, and hope everyone overlooks past missteps.
His pivot to AI serves as a telling acknowledgment of the significance of this moment. When Zuckerberg starts making big investments, it’s not out of mere curiosity. He’s sensing an opportunity for dominance.
This alone might warrant our attention—not because he is paving the way for artificial superintelligence, but because he aims to dictate the future of its development and the governance around it.
What is superintelligence, and why does it matter?
Superintelligence refers to AI that surpasses human capabilities, impacting everything from the workplace to societal decision-making. Its implications could reshape how we lead our day-to-day lives.
Is Zuckerberg the right person to lead us into the age of superintelligence?
Several skeptics question whether Zuckerberg has the vision necessary for such a monumental shift, especially related to his track record in failed ventures such as the metaverse.
How are companies like OpenAI and Google positioned against Meta in the AI race?
Companies like OpenAI and Google are advancing rapidly with innovative models, setting the standard that Meta is striving to catch up with. Their existing technology showcases the high bar for AGI.
What does the public think about Zuckerberg’s push into AI?
Public sentiment varies, with many expressing skepticism given Zuckerberg’s history with the metaverse and concerns about privacy and data ethics.
Is there potential for collaboration among tech giants in developing AGI?
Collaboration could be crucial in ensuring safe and responsible development of AGI, appealing to a broad consensus that balances innovation with ethical considerations.
As we navigate this rapidly evolving landscape, the importance of staying informed cannot be overstated. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or a casual observer, the implications of superintelligence will touch every corner of our lives. Keep exploring the digital universe and stay tuned for forthcoming discussions on AI, technology, and beyond at Moyens I/O.