From Llamas to Avocados: Meta's shifting AI strategy is causing internal confusion

Core Insights - Meta's AI strategy has shifted from a focus on its Llama models to a broader approach involving significant hiring to compete with industry leaders like OpenAI and Google [2][3][6] - The company is developing a new AI model, codenamed Avocado, which is expected to be released in the first quarter of 2026, after delays due to performance testing [4][6] - Meta's stock performance has lagged behind competitors, prompting a need for clearer direction and return on investment following substantial expenditures on talent acquisition [6][9] Company Strategy - Meta's current AI strategy is perceived as scattered, with insiders indicating that the company is falling behind its rivals in AI adoption [3][6] - The company has raised its 2025 capital expenditure guidance to between $70 billion and $72 billion, reflecting its commitment to AI investments [6] - Meta's leadership has undergone significant changes, with the hiring of industry experts like Alexandr Wang and Nat Friedman to spearhead AI initiatives [15][16][25] AI Development - The Llama models, previously a unique open-source offering, are now being reconsidered for a more proprietary approach, especially after the underwhelming reception of Llama 4 [11][14] - The new AI leadership is under pressure to deliver competitive models as rivals like Google's Gemini 3 and OpenAI's GPT-5 gain traction [18][19] - Meta's recent AI product, Vibes, has been criticized for being inferior to competitors, highlighting the urgency for improvement in AI offerings [22][23] Organizational Changes - Meta has implemented layoffs and restructuring within its AI divisions, with a notable reduction of 600 jobs in the Meta Superintelligence Labs [24][30] - The company is shifting its development culture to a more rapid and less collaborative approach, contrasting with its historically open communication style [25][30] - Meta is also exploring partnerships with third-party cloud services to enhance its AI infrastructure, including a $27 billion deal for a new data center [34][35] Future Outlook - Despite challenges, Meta's leadership remains optimistic about its AI ambitions, with Zuckerberg asserting that the company has built a highly talented team focused on next-generation models [35][36]