This is one of the first big exits since Mark Zuckerberg reorganised Meta’s AI division under Superintelligence Labs.

LeCun, a Turing Award laureate and one of the pioneers of deep learning, is reportedly in early discussions with investors to raise funds for his new venture, which will centre on developing “world models”, AI systems designed to simulate and understand the real world more deeply. 

This approach aims to create machines that can learn and reason with a closer resemblance to human cognition.

His departure comes at a time when Meta is enhancing its drive to compete with OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic in the superintelligent systems space.

Mark Zuckerberg recently consolidated Meta’s AI research under Superintelligence Labs, placing Alexandr Wang, the former CEO of data-labelling firm Scale AI, in charge of the division.

This reorganisation meant that LeCun, who had long reported to Chief Product Officer Chris Cox, was reassigned to report directly to Wang, a move that, according to sources cited by the Financial Times, may have influenced his decision to leave.

LeCun’s planned exit reveals both a generational change in leadership and a potential divergence in vision between academic research and the dynamic, product-driven approach of Meta AI.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has yet to comment publicly on the reports. LeCun, too, has not issued an official statement.

Since joining Meta (then Facebook) in 2013, Yann LeCun has helped in promoting convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and self-supervised learning, two techniques that underpin today’s large-scale AI systems. 

His next startup could represent a return to the more exploratory and research-oriented roots that first defined his career.

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His appointment, confirmed on Monday, is a leadership change coming at a time when the social media giant faces regulatory issues in one of its most important markets.

Srinivas, who currently leads Meta’s ads business in India, steps into the role previously managed by Sandhya Devanathan. She recently assumed wider responsibilities overseeing both India and Southeast Asia. 

In his new capacity, Srinivas will be responsible for consolidating Meta’s business growth, product innovation, and client engagement in India, a market central to the company’s global ambitions.

His mandate is to deepen Meta’s influence in the Indian digital economy, enhance relationships with major brands and developers, and drive revenue through platforms like WhatsApp, Reels, and the company’s AI-powered services. 

The company believes his three-decade-long experience across industries will help him deliver on that agenda.

“As India continues to be at the forefront of economic growth and innovation, we are excited to have Arun at the helm of our efforts in this critical market,” said Devanathan. 

“Meta in India is leading the way in AI adoption, WhatsApp, and Reels, and Arun’s impressive track record of building high-performing teams, driving product innovation, and fostering strong partnerships makes him the ideal leader to drive Meta’s continued investment in the country. He will continue to work closely with me as we scale the business in India.”

Before joining Meta in 2020, Srinivas held senior roles at Hindustan Unilever, Reebok, OLA, and WestBridge Capital. A graduate of IIM Kolkata, he has built a reputation for guiding teams through digital transformation and market expansion.

Meta’s presence in India has come under regulatory heat. In November 2024, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) penalised the company over alleged antitrust violations, ordering WhatsApp, also owned by Meta, to stop sharing user data with other Meta platforms for advertising purposes for five years.

Meta immediately challenged the ruling, pointing to possible harm to its India operations. Earlier in 2025, the company secured temporary relief from a tribunal, suspending the enforcement of the CCI’s ban. Despite this reprieve, legal and policy uncertainty continues to cloud its future operations in India.

The decision to place Srinivas at the forefront of the Indian market could be interpreted as Meta’s effort to stabilise its leadership footprint while defending its data-sharing policies and revenue models. 

His continued reporting line to Devanathan ensures alignment with broader regional goals, especially in a region where regulatory unpredictability is fast becoming the norm.

For Meta, India is a complex, contested space. Srinivas’s appointment readies the company to engage that complexity with sharper focus and stronger local leadership.

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