- greensea
- 12 Feb 2025 12:13 AM
- #AI & Robotics
Meta Begins Workforce Reductions as AI Takes Center Stage
In a strategic shift toward artificial intelligence, Meta has begun a new round of job cuts today, implementing performance-based layoffs across its global operations. This move mirrors similar actions by tech giants like Microsoft, which recently announced targeted staff reductions.
5% of Workforce Affected in Global Restructuring
According to internal memos obtained by Reuters, notifications started at 5 a.m. local time, with the layoffs unfolding over several days. Approximately 3,600 employees—or 5% of Meta’s workforce—are affected.
Employees in the United States are among the first to be notified.
Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands are exempt due to labor regulations.
Other regions in Europe, Asia, and Africa will receive notifications in the coming weeks.
Unlike previous mass layoffs, Meta is keeping its offices open during this period and will not issue company-wide updates on the terminations, signaling a more streamlined approach.
AI Talent in Focus: Meta Accelerates Hiring
Despite the job cuts, Meta is aggressively recruiting for AI and machine learning roles. A separate internal memo from VP of Engineering for Monetization Peng Fan details a fast-tracked hiring process for machine learning engineers, running from February 11 to March 13.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg has emphasized the company’s focus on AI, augmented reality (AR) glasses, and the evolution of social media, aligning these hiring initiatives with Meta’s long-term innovation strategy.
Tech Industry Restructures for the AI Era
Meta’s latest layoffs come amid a broader industry trend of reshaping workforces to prioritize AI and automation.
In 2022, Meta cut 11,000 jobs.
In 2023, the company eliminated 10,000 positions during what Zuckerberg called the "Year of Efficiency."
Microsoft followed suit, cutting 10,000 roles in 2023 and recently eliminating 1,900 positions after acquiring Activision Blizzard.
This shift suggests a major transformation in Silicon Valley hiring practices, moving away from broad hiring and focusing on specialized AI and machine learning talent.
The Future of Tech Employment
As Meta trims traditional roles while expanding its AI workforce, today’s layoffs mark a defining moment in tech industry employment. With AI becoming the dominant force in innovation, the industry will be watching closely to see how this shift influences hiring, job security, and the future of tech talent acquisition.
