Meta Platforms Inc. has begun notifying employees across its global workforce of about 8,000 job cuts as part of a major restructuring tied to its artificial intelligence (AI) expansion and cost-efficiency drive.
The layoffs, which started on Wednesday morning, were first communicated to staff in Asia around 4 a.m. Singapore time, with employees in the United States also expected to receive notifications later in the day, according to an internal memo cited by Bloomberg.
The job reductions form part of Meta’s broader strategy to streamline operations while redirecting significant investment into AI infrastructure, product development, and automation systems.
Earlier in March, reports indicated that the company was planning wider layoffs that could affect up to 20 per cent or more of its global workforce, reflecting ongoing restructuring efforts.
Meta has reportedly advised affected employees to work remotely as it continues the workforce reduction exercise, which is expected to impact engineering and product teams most significantly.
In parallel, about 7,000 employees have been reassigned to newly created AI-focused teams working on advanced products and autonomous agents, according to internal communications.
The company ended March with just under 80,000 employees, meaning the latest restructuring represents a significant reshaping of its organisational structure.
Janelle Gale, Meta’s Head of People, said in an internal memo that the company is shifting towards a flatter organisational structure designed to improve speed, accountability, and productivity.
“We’re now at the stage where many orgs can operate with a flatter structure with smaller teams of pods/cohorts that can move faster and with more ownership,” she said. “We believe this will make us more productive and make the work more rewarding.”
Analysts estimate the job cuts could generate up to $3 billion in savings, as the company balances workforce reduction with heavy investment in AI development.
The restructuring has also sparked internal concerns about job security and workplace monitoring, particularly around AI-driven productivity tracking and data usage. Reports indicate that more than 1,000 employees signed a petition opposing extensive device-level data collection, including keystrokes and screen activity, for AI training purposes.
Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg has positioned AI as the company’s core long-term strategy, with Meta committing more than $100 billion in capital expenditure this year toward AI infrastructure and capabilities.
The move is aimed at strengthening its position against competitors such as Alphabet’s Google and OpenAI in the race to develop advanced AI models, agents, and enterprise tools.
Meta has implemented multiple rounds of layoffs in recent years as part of its efficiency drive while simultaneously expanding internal use of AI tools, including automation and coding assistance systems.
