Meta is reportedly planning sweeping layoffs, with sources indicating that over 20% of the company's workforce could be affected. This move aims to offset substantial investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure and adapt to efficiency gains driven by AI-assisted employees.
While no definitive date or final layoff number has been set, top executives have informed senior leaders to prepare for workforce reductions. If the 20% figure is realized, it would represent Meta's most substantial cuts since the "year of efficiency" restructuring in late 2022 and early 2023. As of December 31, Meta employed nearly 79,000 people.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg has prioritized a forceful push into generative AI over the past year, offering significant compensation packages to attract top AI researchers to a new superintelligence team. Meta plans to invest $600 billion in data centers by 2028 and has recently acquired AI-focused platforms Moltbook and Manus.
Zuckerberg has noted AI's potential for efficiency, stating that projects previously requiring large teams can now be managed by a single talented individual. This trend aligns with broader industry shifts, as companies like Amazon and fintech firm Block have also cited AI advancements as a factor in recent workforce adjustments.
Meta's AI investment follows challenges with its Llama 4 models, including criticism of misleading benchmark results and the abandonment of the largest model version, "Behemoth." The superintelligence team's new model, "Avocado," has also reportedly lagged expectations.