Meta is preparing for sweeping job cuts that could affect 20% or more of its workforce as the company shifts resources toward artificial intelligence and automation, according to three sources familiar with the discussions.
No final decision or timeline has been set, but senior executives have reportedly instructed leadership teams to begin planning potential reductions. Meta currently employs nearly 79,000 people, based on its latest filings.
A spokesperson for the company described the reports as speculative and said they were based on theoretical planning scenarios.
If implemented, the layoffs would be Meta’s largest since its 2022–2023 restructuring, which the company labeled the “year of efficiency.” In November 2022, Meta cut around 11,000 jobs, followed by another 10,000 layoffs several months later.
Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg has increasingly focused on generative AI as the company seeks to compete with other technology leaders in the field. Meta is reportedly offering massive compensation packages to recruit leading AI researchers for a new superintelligence team.
The company also plans to invest roughly $600 billion in data center infrastructure by 2028 to support its AI ambitions. Additional investments include the acquisition of Moltbook, a social networking platform built for AI agents, and a $2 billion purchase of Chinese AI startup Manus.
Zuckerberg has said AI is already improving efficiency inside the company, noting that some projects that once required large teams can now be completed by a single highly skilled worker using advanced AI tools.
Meta’s strategy mirrors a broader trend across the technology sector. Companies are increasingly citing improvements in AI capabilities as justification for reducing staff while investing heavily in automation.
Earlier this year, Amazon announced plans to cut around 16,000 jobs, about 10% of its workforce. Fintech firm Block also eliminated nearly half its staff, with CEO Jack Dorsey pointing to AI systems that allow companies to operate with smaller teams.
Despite the aggressive investment push, Meta has faced challenges with its AI models. Its Llama 4 models drew criticism last year over benchmark performance claims, and the company canceled plans to release its largest model, known as Behemoth.
Meta’s new superintelligence team is now working on a next-generation model called Avocado, though its performance so far has reportedly fallen short of expectations.
