Meta Appoints AI Executive Connor Hayes to Lead Threads Amid User Growth

Meta has appointed Connor Hayes, a longtime executive and current VP of product for generative AI, as the new head of its Threads app, succeeding Instagram chief Adam Mosseri who had overseen the platform since its 2023 launch. Hayes, who was part of the original Threads development team and has held multiple product roles at Meta, will take over day-to-day leadership in mid-September, managing all product, design, engineering, and research teams while reporting to Mosseri. This leadership change signals Meta's intent to treat Threads as a distinct platform rather than an Instagram adjunct, especially as Threads continues growing rapidly with over 350 million monthly users and about 115 million mobile daily active users, nearing competitor X’s 132 million. Meta is also expanding user access by enabling Facebook profile sign-ups on Threads, potentially boosting engagement further. The appointment of a generative AI lead hints at future AI integration within Threads, possibly using the app as a testbed for advanced AI features before broader deployment across Meta’s ecosystem. Despite Threads’ growth and market enthusiasm, some financial forecasts suggest potential volatility for Meta’s stock, balancing optimism about the platform’s future with caution on overall company performance.