Meta Platforms has rehired Hugo Barra as part of a broader push to expand its artificial intelligence capabilities, particularly in the fast-growing area of AI agents. Barra returns alongside team members from Dreamer, a startup he co-founded in 2024, in a move aimed at accelerating Meta’s position in next-generation computing platforms.
Barra will join Meta’s Superintelligence Labs, led by Alexandr Wang, which was formed following Meta’s multibillion-dollar investment in Scale AI. The company is increasing capital expenditures tied to AI infrastructure, with spending expected to reach as high as $135 billion this year.
Dreamer has been developing a platform described as an operating system for AI agents, targeting consumer use cases. The technology aligns with Meta’s broader strategy to build ecosystems where AI agents can operate across applications and devices. This approach places Meta in direct competition with companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Alphabet.
Meta has also expanded its AI agent footprint through additional investments and acquisitions, including Singapore-based Manus and the social platform Moltbook. These efforts span consumer, enterprise, and infrastructure layers of agent-based systems.
The strategic shift comes as Meta reduces emphasis on virtual reality. The company has scaled back its Reality Labs unit and redirected resources toward AI-powered wearables and software platforms. Barra, who previously led Meta’s VR initiatives, now returns during a transition that reflects the company’s pivot toward AI as the next major computing paradigm.
