Facebook-parent Meta is reportedly restructuring roles within its Reality Labs division. The social media giant is said to be rebranding employees as “AI builders” and organising teams into smaller, AI-focused units as part of an internal shift toward AI-led development. According to a memo obtained by Business Insider, the changes apply to a 1,000-employee group and introduce new titles, including AI Builder, AI Pod Lead, and AI Org Lead.
“Our ultimate goal is to drive a step change in engineering productivity and product quality. To achieve this, we’re fundamentally rewiring how we operate, how we are structured, and how we support each other,” the memo (reviewed by Business Insider) reads.
The restructuring reflects a broader effort backed by CEO Mark Zuckerberg to move toward a flatter organisational structure and increase the use of AI across workflows. Earlier this year, Zuckerberg said that 2026 is the year AI will begin to “dramatically change the way we work,” noting that projects that once required large teams could be handled by a single “very talented” person.
What are Meta’s Reality Labs AI pods and how they will work
According to the memo, each pod comprises a small group of AI builders focused on specific outcomes, often working across functions. For instance, engineers may take on design responsibilities depending on the task at hand. Some Meta employees have also started describing themselves as AI builders on LinkedIn, Business Insider previously reported.
These pods are managed by Pod Leads, who handle day-to-day operations, while Org Leads oversee them and manage performance reviews and promotions, supported by unspecified “AI systems.” The memo noted that the overall team size will remain unchanged under the new structure.
Recently, Meta also carried out layoffs affecting hundreds of employees, including staff in Reality Labs and other teams. However, a company spokesperson said that this reorganisation is not connected to the job cuts.
