Meta cuts about 8,000 workers, races to reorganize for AI

2026-05-22

Meta lays off 10% of staff, accelerates AI-led overhaul

Meta Platforms laid off about 8,000 employees, or 10% of its workforce, as it prioritizes artificial intelligence development and shifts funds toward that effort. It also scrapped plans to hire 6,000 people.

Job cuts and hiring freeze

In an internal memo dated the 20th and obtained by Nikkei, Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg told departing employees that the company was transforming itself so that talented people could have the greatest impact. It plans to devote as much as $145 billion to capital expenditures in the fiscal year ending December 2026.

AI focus and internal backlash

Meta is also moving employees into a new organization that will develop apps and software using AI across the board. About 7,000 people are expected to be transferred, according to The New York Times.

In the memo, Zuckerberg said AI is the 'most important technology' of his lifetime and that 'the companies leading in AI will define the next generation,' while also writing that 'success is not guaranteed.'

But the 'all-in on AI' stance has also drawn mounting resistance inside the company. The backlash began after Meta introduced in April software for some US employees that collects data on mouse and keyboard activity on their computers. The company says the tool is needed to develop advanced AI agents that automate human work, but employees have no right to opt out.

Protest signs on walls and in bathrooms

Some employees started a petition citing privacy concerns and other issues, and signs were also posted on walls and in bathrooms at the Silicon Valley headquarters. A document titled 'The myth of consent-based data collection' argues that employees should not be presumed to have given consent.

According to the group leading the effort, the petition had reached 1,500 signatures as of the 19th. In a protest letter to Zuckerberg and other executives, it argued that companies should not be allowed to routinely exploit workers by extracting data without consent for AI training.

Meta said the software includes measures to protect personal information, and acknowledged the need for the rollout, saying that developing agents to help with everyday tasks on computers requires examples of how people actually use them. It did not comment on employee backlash.

Concern over morale

If the AI-first overhaul continues, it could hurt employee morale. Suspicion is also spreading that more job cuts may be coming.

In the memo on the 20th, Zuckerberg tried to ease concerns by saying there are no further companywide layoffs planned this year. He also said internal communication will be improved.

Still, one employee said the wording does not rule out layoffs at the division or team level. 'Work at Meta is unpredictable, so I just go with the flow,' the employee said.

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