Meta has begun a major workforce reshuffle that combines large scale layoffs with a stronger push into artificial intelligence. According to reports based on internal company memos first covered by Reuters, the company is cutting nearly 8,000 jobs globally while moving around 7,000 employees into newly formed AI focused teams.
As per media reports, alongside the layoffs and internal transfers, the company has also frozen or removed about 6,000 open roles that had been included in its hiring plans. Combined, the layoffs, reassignment of employees and hiring plan reductions mean nearly 20% of Meta’s workforce and planned workforce capacity has been impacted through restructuring measures tied to AI and cost optimisation efforts.
Employees in several regions reportedly began receiving layoff notices in the early hours, with some saying termination emails arrived around 4 am local time. The cuts are expected to affect teams across engineering, product, operations, business support and other functions.
At the same time, Meta is expanding its investment in AI across products and infrastructure. The employees being reassigned are reportedly moving into roles linked to generative AI, large language models, recommendation systems and AI powered advertising tools. These teams are expected to support Meta’s work across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and its broader ad ecosystem.
The restructuring reflects Meta’s continued effort to place AI at the centre of its long term strategy. Over the past year, the company has increased spending on computing capacity, machine learning systems and AI products, even as it continues to report strong revenue and profitability.
The latest move also fits a wider pattern in the technology sector, where companies are reducing headcount in traditional functions while redirecting resources toward AI development, infrastructure and talent. Meta’s decision has drawn attention because it comes despite the company’s strong financial position.
For affected US employees, reports say severance will include 16 weeks of base pay plus two additional weeks for every year worked at Meta, along with continued healthcare support and career transition assistance.
Meta has not publicly shared a full breakdown of which teams or regions are most affected, but the restructuring is expected to continue across multiple global offices as the company keeps shifting its workforce toward AI led priorities.
