Meta Announces Major Layoffs of 8,000 Workers — 10% of Workforce — Amid AI Investment Surge

Meta Platforms Inc. Plans to lay off approximately 8,000 employees, representing about 10% of its global workforce, in an effort to improve efficiency and offset significant investments in artificial intelligence, according to multiple verified reports.

The layoffs will begin with a first wave on May 20, 2026, affecting around 8,000 employees, as confirmed by sources familiar with the plans speaking to Reuters. The company also announced it will not fill approximately 6,000 open roles that it had previously intended to hire for.

Meta had nearly 79,000 employees at the start of 2026, meaning the 8,000 job cuts align with the stated 10% reduction target. The workforce reduction is part of a broader efficiency initiative driven by CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s increased spending on AI talent and infrastructure, including large language models and chatbot development.

Chief People Officer Janelle Gale communicated the plans in an internal memo, stating the layoffs are intended to “run the company more efficiently and to allow us to offset the other investments we’re making.” She noted that the company was announcing the cuts early due to prior leaks about the plan.

In the United States, laid-off employees will receive 16 weeks of base pay plus an additional two weeks for each year of employment, according to details outlined in the memo shared with staff.

Meta’s decision comes amid record projected capital expenditures for 2026 and follows several multibillion-dollar partnerships with AI-focused companies over recent months. Employees have been encouraged to use internal AI agents to assist with tasks such as writing code.

The layoffs mark Meta’s most significant workforce reduction since the “year of efficiency” initiative in late 2022 and early 2023, during which the company eliminated approximately 21,000 jobs. Earlier reports had suggested Meta might consider cutting 20% or more of its workforce, but the current plan reflects a 10% reduction in the initial phase, with potential for further cuts later in the year.

Reuters reported that executives may adjust the scope and timing of any additional layoffs based on developments in AI capabilities, though no final decisions have been made regarding subsequent rounds.

Other major technology companies have similarly linked workforce reductions to AI-driven efficiency gains, including Amazon, which trimmed about 30,000 corporate employees in recent months, and Block, which reduced its staff by nearly half in February 2026.

As of April 2026, Layoffs.fyi reported that 73,212 tech sector employees had lost their jobs globally so far that year, compared to 153,000 for all of 2024. Meta’s upcoming layoffs will contribute significantly to this ongoing trend in the industry.