Meta on Wednesday announced the release of a new artificial intelligence model, Muse Spark, describing it as faster and more capable than its previous systems following a major restructuring of its AI division.
In a statement, the company said its Meta Superintelligence Labs had rebuilt its AI technology stack from the ground up over the past nine months, marking a significant shift in its approach to the increasingly competitive AI sector.
Muse Spark replaces Llama 4, which was launched about a year ago but struggled to keep pace with rival models developed by competitors in the United States, China and Europe. The new system will power a wide range of Meta’s products, including its AI assistant, smart glasses, and features across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger. For now, the model is available only in the United States.
Meta said Muse Spark has been designed to be smaller and faster while maintaining the ability to handle complex reasoning tasks in areas such as science, mathematics and health. It is also the first model in a new “Muse” series, with future versions already under development.
The launch follows internal changes led by chief executive Mark Zuckerberg, who has made the pursuit of “superintelligence” a central goal for the company. The restructuring included the departure of longtime AI research leader Yann LeCun, who had headed Meta’s AI lab for more than a decade.
Zuckerberg has since intensified recruitment efforts, bringing in high-profile talent from across the industry. Among them is Alexandr Wang, who now leads the newly formed Superintelligence Labs unit. The company has also hired executives from competitors such as OpenAI, Anthropic and Google.
This strategy marks a departure from Meta’s earlier focus on open-access AI systems like the Llama family. The company now appears to be placing greater emphasis on integrating AI deeply into its platforms and tailoring it to individual users.
In its announcement, Meta said the goal is to build systems that go beyond answering questions. “The future of Meta AI is rooted in the relationships and context already at the centre of your life,” the company said, adding that it aims to develop technology capable of understanding users in a more personal and contextual way.
The release of Muse Spark comes as competition in the AI industry continues to intensify, with companies racing to produce faster, more capable models. Meta’s latest move signals its intent to remain a key player in the global AI landscape while reshaping its strategy to meet rising expectations.
