Meta Appoints AI Pioneer Shengjia Zhao to Lead Superintelligence Team
Talent poaching continues at full speed among Big Tech and artificial intelligence (AI) hyperscalers. In a significant move, Meta has appointed Shengjia Zhao, a distinguished research scientist formerly at OpenAI, to head its ambitious Superintelligence team. This team is being assembled under the vision of CEO Mark Zuckerberg, aiming to push the boundaries of AI research.
Who is Shengjia Zhao?
Shengjia Zhao is a notable figure in the AI community, recognized for his groundbreaking work at OpenAI. During his tenure, he played a critical role in the development of transformative technologies that shaped the landscape of conversational AI, including ChatGPT and GPT-4.
Zhao co-authored the original paper on ChatGPT, significantly contributing to the AI reasoning trends that have emerged from his research. His work on the o1 model is particularly noteworthy, as it introduced the “chain-of-thought” prompting technique, which has become a standard in the field.
Academic Background
Zhao holds a PhD in computer science from Stanford University, a prestigious institution known for its rigorous programs and cutting-edge research. He also earned his bachelor’s degree from Tsinghua University, one of China’s leading universities, laying a strong foundation for his future contributions to AI.
New Assignment at Meta
In his new role, Zhao will serve as the lead scientist of the Superintelligence team at Meta. He is responsible for setting the research agenda and overseeing key projects, collaborating closely with Mark Zuckerberg and chief AI officer Alexandr Wang.
One of Zhao’s primary tasks will be to establish the strategy for Meta’s foundational models, particularly focusing on the Llama series. This initiative aims to unify the company’s efforts and enhance its competitiveness in foundational AI research.
Zhao’s Contributions at OpenAI
During his time at OpenAI, Zhao made significant foundational contributions to ChatGPT. He also spearheaded initiatives in synthetic data generation, a crucial element for training large language models (LLMs), including ChatGPT and its successors.
In addition to his direct work with ChatGPT, Zhao was instrumental in the development of the o1 and o3 reasoning models. The o1 model, in particular, laid the groundwork for the “chain-of-thought” prompting technique, which has been adopted across various models in the AI landscape.
What is Superintelligence?
Meta launched the Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL) in 2025, marking a pivotal step in its quest to create artificial general intelligence (AGI) and, ultimately, superintelligence. This new division aims to consolidate Meta’s foundational AI research—including the Llama models, product AI teams, and next-generation models—under one unified umbrella.
The establishment of MSL highlights Meta’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in AI, reflecting a visionary approach to the future of technology.
Conclusion
As Shengjia Zhao takes the reins of Meta’s Superintelligence team, his immense experience and innovative mindset are poised to drive significant advancements in the field of artificial intelligence. The collaboration between Zhao, Zuckerberg, and Wang represents a formidable force in the race towards superintelligence, with the potential to reshape the landscape of technology in the years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What role did Shengjia Zhao play at OpenAI?
Zhao was a prominent research scientist who contributed significantly to the development of ChatGPT and other key models. He co-authored the original ChatGPT paper and led efforts in synthetic data generation.
2. What is the focus of Meta’s Superintelligence team?
The Superintelligence team aims to create artificial general intelligence (AGI) and superintelligence, focusing on foundational models like the Llama series and integrating various AI research efforts under one division.
3. What is the “chain-of-thought” prompting technique?
The “chain-of-thought” prompting technique, developed through Zhao’s work on the o1 model, enables models to enhance their reasoning capabilities by breaking down tasks into a series of logical steps.
4. What is the significance of the Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL)?
The MSL serves to bring together Meta’s foundational AI research and product teams, consolidating efforts to advance the company’s ambitious goals in AI technology.
5. What educational qualifications does Shengjia Zhao hold?
Zhao has a PhD in computer science from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree from Tsinghua University.
