Meta Plans Potential Layoffs of 8,000 Employees Amid AI Push

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is reportedly preparing for another round of workforce reductions, with around 8,000 roles expected to be affected in the coming weeks.
The proposed cuts would represent roughly 10% of the company’s global workforce and mark its largest round of layoffs since the 2022–23 restructuring, when approximately 21,000 positions were eliminated. According to reports, the first phase of layoffs is expected around 20 May, with additional reductions potentially planned later in the year.
While the full scope of future cuts has not been officially confirmed, internal planning is said to be influenced by the company’s evolving artificial intelligence (AI) strategy. Some reports indicate that total workforce reductions in 2026 could reach 20% or more, depending on how organisational priorities develop.
Meta currently employs close to 79,000 people globally and is increasing its investment in AI-led initiatives. As part of this shift, teams are being reorganised to focus on AI-driven products and operational efficiency. Engineers have reportedly been moved into a newly formed Applied AI division tasked with developing advanced systems, including tools capable of generating code and handling complex workflows. Some employees are also being reassigned to newer units such as Meta Small Business.
The developments come amid a broader trend across the technology sector, with companies including Amazon and Block also announcing workforce reductions in recent months. Industry-wide, job cuts have been linked to cost controls and productivity gains associated with increased AI adoption.
Media estimates suggest that tens of thousands of technology sector roles have already been affected globally in 2026, following significant reductions in previous years. Meta’s reported plans reflect ongoing efforts by large technology firms to streamline operations, reduce management layers, and align resources with emerging priorities such as artificial intelligence.
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