Meta Platforms has announced plans to lay off about 8,000 employees—roughly 10 percent of its workforce—as it ramps up investment in artificial intelligence (AI).
In an internal memo to staff, the company said the job cuts will take effect next month and will also include a freeze on filling thousands of open roles. The move comes as Meta significantly increases spending on AI projects, with planned investments estimated at $135 billion.
A company spokesperson confirmed the layoffs but declined to provide further details.
Meta’s Chief Executive Officer, Mark Zuckerberg, had earlier signaled the likelihood of workforce reductions, citing the growing efficiency driven by AI tools. According to him, advancements in AI are enabling fewer employees to handle tasks that previously required large teams.
“I think that 2026 is going to be the year that AI starts to dramatically change the way that we work,” Zuckerberg said in earlier remarks.
The layoffs will mark the company’s largest workforce reduction since 2023. Meta has already cut around 2,000 jobs in smaller rounds earlier this year, with additional cuts now reflecting a broader strategic shift toward AI development.
The company has increasingly focused on building advanced AI models and infrastructure in a bid to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. As part of this push, Meta recently informed employees it would begin monitoring workplace computer usage to improve its AI systems—a move that has sparked internal concerns.
Meta is not alone in restructuring its workforce amid rising AI investments. Other major tech firms, including Amazon, Oracle, Microsoft, and Snap Inc., have also announced significant job cuts this year, citing similar reasons.
Industry analysts say the trend reflects a broader transformation in the technology sector, where companies are prioritising automation and AI capabilities, even as it leads to large-scale workforce reductions.
