Meta is set to lay off around 8,000 employees roughly 10% of its workforce as it ramps up investment in artificial intelligence projects, according to an internal memo shared with staff.
The move, expected to take effect next month, will also include a freeze on filling thousands of open positions the company had previously been recruiting for.
At the center of the decision is Meta’s aggressive shift toward AI.
The company plans to spend about $135 billion on AI initiatives this year alone, an amount said to match its total investment in the technology over the past three years combined.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg had earlier hinted at the restructuring, noting that AI tools are rapidly transforming productivity.
He suggested that individual workers can now handle tasks that once required entire teams.
“I think that 2026 is going to be the year that AI starts to dramatically change the way that we work,” Zuckerberg said in January.
The layoffs follow earlier cuts this year, where Meta reportedly trimmed about 2,000 roles in smaller rounds.
However, this latest move represents the company’s largest workforce reduction since 2023.
Read also:
- Meta, YouTube found liable in social media addiction case, Jury awards $3 Million
- Meta begins removal of under-16 users in Australia ahead of landmark social media ban
- Meta cuts 600 jobs in AI division to streamline operations after hiring surge
Internally, the company’s pivot toward AI has sparked concern among employees.
Meta recently disclosed plans to monitor workers’ interactions with company devices including clicks and keystrokes to help train its AI systems, a policy some staff have criticized as intrusive.
Since 2022, Meta has undergone repeated restructuring efforts, cutting tens of thousands of jobs before resuming hiring last year.
The upcoming layoffs signal a renewed focus on efficiency and automation as the tech giant races to compete in the global AI landscape.
The announcement reflects a broader trend across the tech industry, where companies are increasingly prioritizing AI development even as it leads to significant workforce reductions.
