MetaS head of artificial intelligence, Yann LeCun, is departing the company to launch a new AI startup, according to multiple reports surfacing November 19, 2025. The move marks a significant shift in the AI landscape and signals a potential fracturing of talent from one of the industry’s leading technology firms.
LeCun, a Turing Award laureate and foundational figure in the field of deep learning, will reportedly focus on developing “common sense” AI-systems capable of reasoning and problem-solving more akin to human cognition. His departure comes amid increasing competition in generative AI and a broader debate about the future direction of the technology. The new venture aims to address limitations in current AI models,which often struggle wiht tasks requiring contextual understanding and real-world knowledge.
For over a decade, LeCun has been instrumental in shaping Meta‘s AI strategy, serving as Chief AI Scientist and overseeing the company’s AI Research (FAIR) division. He has been a vocal proponent of self-supervised learning and has led research into areas like computer vision and natural language processing. His exit raises questions about meta’s continued leadership in AI innovation and its ability to compete with rivals like OpenAI and Google.
Details regarding the new company, including its name and funding, remain scarce as of November 19, 2025. However,reports indicate LeCun has already begun assembling a team of researchers and engineers. The venture is expected to concentrate on building AI systems that are more robust, reliable, and aligned with human values.
