Meta has started implementing its previously announced plan to cut around 8,000 jobs worldwide, with affected employees being notified beginning at 4 a.m. in their local time zones.
The layoffs are part of a major company restructuring focused on expanding artificial intelligence initiatives. Last month, Meta’s Chief People Officer, Janelle Gale, said the move was aimed at improving efficiency while supporting the company’s growing investments in AI technology.
She acknowledged that the decision was difficult and would impact employees who had made valuable contributions during their time at the company.
According to reports by The New York Times, an additional 7,000 employees are expected to be moved into AI-related roles. Before the latest cuts, Meta employed approximately 78,000 people globally.
The restructuring has reportedly caused concern among workers, with some employees expressing frustration over the possibility that they had helped train the AI systems now replacing certain roles.
A limited number of employees in Australia are also believed to be affected, though Meta has not yet confirmed specific details.
Meta, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg and owner of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, has projected spending of up to $145 billion this year, with a significant portion allocated to AI development.
Despite recently posting record profits, the company’s decision to reduce its workforce has generated criticism among employees.
In a message to affected workers, Zuckerberg reportedly emphasized the importance of AI, saying it is “the most consequential technology of our lifetimes” and that the companies leading in AI development will shape the future.