Core Insights - Dr. Yang Likun, a prominent figure in the AI field, is leaving Meta to start his own company, marking a significant turning point for both Meta and the AI industry [2] - Yang Likun is known for his groundbreaking work in convolutional neural networks, particularly the LeNet architecture, which revolutionized computer vision [2][4] - Meta is undergoing a strategic shift in its AI approach, facing internal disagreements and challenges in keeping pace with competitors like OpenAI and Google [5][6] Background of Yang Likun - Born on July 8, 1960, in France, Yang Likun developed an early interest in electronics, later earning an electrical engineering diploma in 1983 [3] - He completed his PhD in computer science in 1987, focusing on early forms of neural network training using backpropagation [3][4] - His work at AT&T's Bell Labs led to the development of convolutional neural networks, significantly impacting image processing and recognition [4] Meta's Strategic Changes - Meta is restructuring its AI strategy, investing $14.3 billion in Scale AI and appointing CEO Wang Tao to lead a new department [5] - The restructuring reflects deeper strategic divides within Meta, as Yang Likun has expressed skepticism about large language models, which the company is prioritizing [5][6] - The departure of Yang Likun highlights ongoing challenges within Meta's AI division, including a recent reduction of approximately 600 positions [6] Industry Implications - Yang Likun's new venture will focus on "world models," which aim to understand environments through video and spatial data rather than just text [5] - The AI industry is experiencing intense competition, with differing opinions on the path to achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI) [6]