Meta moves metaverse executive to AI role after layoffs
- ByStartupStory | October 28, 2025
In a strategic realignment amid ongoing layoffs, Meta Platforms Inc. has announced that Vishal Shah, who led its metaverse efforts for the past four years, will transition to lead the company’s AI product division. The announcement comes days after Meta cut approximately 600 jobs from its AI-focused Superintelligence Labs, signaling the company’s sharpened focus on competing aggressively in the booming artificial intelligence landscape.
From Metaverse to AI Leadership
Vishal Shah, a veteran Meta executive known for his prior work leading product management for Instagram, stepped into the role of Vice President of Metaverse in 2021, steering Meta’s ambitious plans to build virtual worlds and immersive experiences. Now, he will join Meta’s Superintelligence Labs under the guidance of Nat Friedman, Meta’s head of AI Products.
Shah’s new responsibilities include leading product management for AI technologies such as Meta’s AI chatbot and integrating AI capabilities across Meta’s diverse product ecosystem, including apps and wearable devices. His appointment reflects Meta’s belief in leveraging seasoned leadership to hasten AI innovation and deployment.
Leadership and Structural Changes in Metaverse
With Shah’s departure from metaverse leadership, Gabe Aul will assume responsibility for Meta’s metaverse products, including “avatars” and digital content experiences within Meta Horizon, the company’s flagship virtual world platform. Meanwhile, Ryan Cairns will continue to oversee Quest VR hardware and the Meta OS operating system, now reporting directly to Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth.
Bosworth underscored that the metaverse remains a top priority for Meta despite the organizational changes. “We’ve proven our thesis to the industry and see growing competition, so we need to maintain our advantage,” he said in an internal memo.
A Heavy Bet on AI
CEO Mark Zuckerberg has intensified Meta’s AI investments in 2025, directing tens of billions of dollars toward AI research, data center buildout, and top AI talent recruitment. The company is contending with rivals like OpenAI and Google to build and deploy the most sophisticated AI models.
The recent layoffs in the AI labs, described by Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang as a move to foster agility and speed, illustrate the company’s efforts to recalibrate and streamline teams to stay ahead in the competitive AI race.
Strategic Implications
The leadership swap and departmental reshuffle at Meta demonstrate its balanced approach toward innovation, ensuring that AI remains integrated across its product suite while preserving ongoing metaverse ambitions.
Shah’s experience bridging multiple product domains and his engineering background position him well to deliver actionable AI advancements that could permeate social media, augmented reality, and consumer devices, potentially transforming user engagement.
Outlook
Meta’s third-quarter earnings call, scheduled shortly after these announcements, is expected to focus heavily on AI strategy and performance metrics, signaling the company’s intent to reassure investors about its direction during a pivotal technological pivot.
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