Meta Platforms Inc, the social media giant formerly known as Facebook, has hired a team of experts from Oslo-based Graphcore to build artificial intelligence networking technology. The team previously worked on cutting-edge AI projects at Graphcore, a British chip unicorn that specializes in creating processors for machine learning applications.
The move is part of Meta’s ongoing efforts to invest in artificial intelligence and machine learning. The company has been steadily expanding its AI team over the past few years, and the acquisition of the Graphcore team is expected to accelerate its progress in this area.
A spokesperson for Meta confirmed the hirings in response to a request for comment from Reuters. According to the news agency, 10 people who had previously worked at Graphcore until December 2022 or January 2023 joined Meta in February or March of this year.
Graphcore has gained a reputation in the AI industry for its innovative chip designs, which are optimized for machine learning tasks. The company’s chips are used by researchers and data scientists to train AI models more quickly and efficiently.
The Graphcore team’s expertise in AI networking is likely to be particularly valuable to Meta, which operates some of the largest social networks in the world. The company’s platforms generate vast amounts of data, which can be harnessed to create more personalized experiences for users.
AI networking technology is a key component of this process. By using AI to analyze user data in real-time, Meta can provide more targeted advertising, better content recommendations, and more relevant search results.
The Graphcore team’s expertise is also likely to be useful in other areas of Meta’s business. The company has been investing heavily in virtual and augmented reality, and AI networking technology could help to enhance these experiences by improving the way that devices interact with each other.
The move comes amid growing concern about the impact of AI on society. Critics have raised concerns about the potential for AI to exacerbate social inequality, and there have been calls for greater regulation of the industry.
Meta has been vocal about its commitment to responsible AI, and the company has set up a number of initiatives to address the ethical and social implications of the technology. In 2021, the company established a dedicated AI ethics team to oversee the development and deployment of AI across its platforms.
The acquisition of the Graphcore team is likely to be seen as a further indication of Meta’s commitment to responsible AI. The company’s decision to hire experts in AI networking technology suggests that it is taking a proactive approach to addressing the potential risks associated with the technology.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Graphcore said: “We wish the team well in their new roles at Meta. We are proud of the work that they did at Graphcore and are confident that they will continue to make a valuable contribution to the field of AI.”
The news of the hirings has been met with interest by industry experts, who see it as a sign of Meta’s determination to stay ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving field of AI.
“Meta is clearly making a significant investment in AI, and the acquisition of the Graphcore team is a testament to that,” said Dr. Kate Crawford, co-founder of the AI Now Institute at New York University.
“AI networking technology is a key area of research for the industry, and Meta is positioning itself as a leader in this field. It will be interesting to see how the company uses this technology to enhance its platforms and create new experiences for users.”
The acquisition of the Graphcore team is the latest in a series of high-profile hires by Meta in the AI space. In 2021, the company hired Dr. Jérôme Pesenti, a former vice president of AI at IBM, to lead its AI efforts.
