Meta Plans to Launch First Large-Scale Layoffs This Year in May, AI Development as Key Adjustment Factor

Meta plans to launch its first large-scale layoffs this year on May 20, with the first round affecting about 10% of its global workforce—nearly 8000 people. The company will carry out further layoffs later, with specific timing and scale yet to be determined; management may adjust plans based on AI development progress. Earlier reports indicated Meta's overall layoff ratio could be no less than 20%.

Zuckerberg is investing tens of billions of dollars in AI to reshape the company's internal operational model. Recently, Meta restructured its Reality Labs division and transferred engineers to the newly established "Application AI" team to develop AI agents that can write code and perform complex tasks. U.S. tech firms like Amazon and Block have also laid off employees due to AI-driven efficiency gains; so far this year, 73212 people have lost their jobs in the tech industry.