Meta plans to cut approximately 8,000 jobs, or 10% of its workforce, starting May 20 as part of a broader restructuring aimed at bolstering its artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives. The company announced the job cuts in an internal memo on Thursday, according to multiple reports.
Key Takeaways
Meta will cut approximately 8,000 jobs starting May 20 as part of a 10% workforce reduction. The company plans to invest heavily in AI, allocating $140 billion for AI projects in 2026.
- Meta to lay off 8,000 employees
- Company will not fill 6,000 open roles
- Investment in AI set at $140 billion for 2026
- Employees concerned about data tracking for AI training
The layoffs come as Meta accelerates its investment in AI, with plans to spend $140 billion on AI projects in 2026. This represents a significant increase from previous years and underscores the company's strategic shift towards AI-driven technologies. According to a person familiar with the memo reported by BBC News, Meta has already spent $135bn (£100bn) on AI this year alone.
In addition to the job cuts, Meta will not fill approximately 6,000 open roles, further reducing its workforce. The company had previously laid off around 2,000 employees in smaller rounds of cuts earlier this year. Employees have been anticipating deeper job losses for weeks, as reported by BBC News.
The job cuts are part of a broader trend in the tech sector, with companies like Microsoft and Amazon also announcing significant layoffs. Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg has emphasized the importance of AI in the company's future, stating that 2026 will be 'the year that AI dramatically changes the way we work.' However, employees have expressed concerns about the company's new tracking tool, known as the Model Capability Initiative (MCI), which logs keystrokes and mouse clicks to train AI models. One employee described the move as 'very dystopian,' according to BBC News.
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