Meta Platforms Inc. is planning layoffs affecting up to 20% of its global staff, according to Reuters sources familiar with internal discussions. The cuts aim to offset soaring AI infrastructure costs and enable broader automation using AI-powered autonomous workers.
No final decision or timeline has been set. Senior executives recently directed leadership to begin implementation planning. Meta declined to confirm, calling the report 'speculative.'
This would be Meta’s largest reduction since its 2022-2023 'year of efficiency,' which cut over 21,000 jobs. The moves align with CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s intensified push into AI-evidenced by a $600 billion data center commitment through 2028, and recent acquisitions including Moltbook and Manus for roughly $2 billion.
Meta’s AI efforts have faced headwinds: Llama 4 underperformed, leading to cancellation of the follow-up 'Behemoth' model. Its new Superintelligence team is now developing 'Avocado,' though release timing remains unclear.