It appears that Facebook has gained grounds against Google after the social networking giant snatched one of the latter's executive.

Facebook announced on April 13 that it has hired Regina Dugan, the Google executive who jumpstarted major Google Initiatives such as Project Ara, Project Tango and a project that researches on smart fabrics wired with electronics.

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Facebook said that Dugan will head the company's research and product development division. Dugan will play a major role in building Facebook's 10-year technology road map. Dugan will directly report to Facebook chief technology officer Mike Schroepfer.

Dugan will guide a new group called the Building 8 once she joined the ranks of Facebook. The group focuses on the development and creation of new hardware products that will help Facebook's mission of connecting the world. Building 8, contrary to initial rumor that it is named after a building or a complex, got its name from the number of letters in Facebook.

In a statement, Facebook founder and chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg said, "I'm excited to have Regina apply DARPA-style breakthrough development at the intersection of science and products to our mission. This method is characterized by aggressive, fixed timelines, extensive use of partnerships with universities, small and large businesses, and clear objectives for sipping products at scale."

Facebook's 10-year technology development roadmap hinges on three important platforms: virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and the mission to bring Internet access to people who do not have it.

Facebook claims that it has created an initiative that involves hundreds of people to pursue its vision. Additionally, the social network giant is also pouring in millions of dollars in order to bankroll the project.

For some tech analysts, Facebook's latest acquisition of Dugan simply highlights how toxic the competition is between companies in Silicon Valley.

TagsFacebook, Facebook executives, Google, Google executive, Facebook initiatives, Facebook Project, Facebook executive, Facebook Building 8, Building 8