Facebook CTO Stepping Down: Andrew Bosworth to Leave After 13 Years

Facebook's CTO Announces Departure

Mike Schroepfer, the Chief Technology Officer of Facebook, has revealed his plans to step down from his position in the coming year. He will be transitioning into a part-time role as a “Senior Fellow” within the organization. This marks a significant change in Facebook’s leadership structure.

Succession and New Responsibilities

Andrew Bosworth, a long-standing executive, will succeed Schroepfer as CTO. Bosworth currently oversees Facebook Reality Labs and will continue to manage the AR/VR division alongside his new responsibilities.

Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook, communicated this leadership shift through a post in the company’s newsroom.

Schroepfer’s Tenure and Impact

According to his LinkedIn profile, Schroepfer joined Facebook in August 2008. This was a period of substantial growth for the company, valued at $15 billion, but also preceding the economic recession. Facebook subsequently achieved a landmark technology IPO and currently boasts a market capitalization nearing $1 trillion.

The company’s journey to success has presented numerous technological hurdles and sparked several controversies. Schroepfer’s long service has been particularly defined by Facebook’s adoption of artificial intelligence and the algorithmic news feed. This feed curates content for users based on predicted interests.

Facebook also utilizes artificial intelligence extensively for content moderation. However, the company’s reliance on algorithmic promotion and data collection has frequently been a source of debate.

A Notable Departure

Schroepfer’s move away from Zuckerberg’s core team represents a pivotal moment for Facebook. While several high-profile individuals have left the company in recent years – including Fidji Simo, Carolyn Everson, David Fischer, and Hugo Barra – none held a relationship as close to the CEO as Schroepfer.

Bosworth's Background and Perspective

Bosworth, who began his tenure at Facebook in January 2006, is known for his candidness. He has openly shared opinions, sometimes controversial, regarding the company and the broader technology landscape.

He has previously led Facebook’s hardware and advertising divisions, and most recently, the AR/VR operations, which the company considers a key area for future growth.

Schroepfer’s Future Plans

In a Facebook post, Schroepfer stated, “This is a difficult decision because of how much I love Facebook and how excited I am about the future we are building together.”

He further explained that the change in role will allow him to dedicate more time to family and philanthropic endeavors. He will remain connected to the company, focusing on recruiting technical talent and furthering investments in AI technologies like PyTorch.