Facebook Steps Up Artificial Intelligence Efforts With Research Lab - Mike Isaac - Social - AllThingsD

Also see Facebook Taps ‘Deep Learning’ Giant for New AI Lab (Wired)

"The initiative comes as Google also steps up its efforts in the artificial-intelligence field. Last year, the search giant hired leading AI research scientist (and dyed-in-the-wool futurist) Ray Kurzweil to head its AI and deep-learning efforts. Facebook likely plans to continue snooping out potential acquisitions or new hires in the space, according to sources — just as Google continues to do.
As one person familiar with the matter put it: “I expect an arms race between Google Brain, Facebook AI Group and other tech companies that will desperately try to keep up."

Facebook Steps Up Artificial Intelligence Efforts With Research Lab - Mike Isaac - Social - AllThingsD