Meta Platforms Inc., has started notifying employees across its global operations of job cuts affecting about 8,000 roles, as part of a broader restructuring tied to its push into artificial intelligence and cost optimisation.
The layoffs, which began 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 cuts form part of Meta’s ongoing effort to streamline operations while redirecting significant capital towards artificial intelligence infrastructure and product development.
Earlier in March this year, sources gathered that Meta was planning sweeping layoffs that could affect 20% or more of its workforce.
Meta has reportedly advised affected staff to work remotely as it proceeds with the workforce reduction, which is expected to impact engineering and product teams most heavily.
In parallel with the layoffs, Meta has reassigned about 7,000 employees to newly created AI focused teams working on products and autonomous agents, according to internal communications.
The company ended March with just under 80,000 employees, ahead of the latest restructuring exercise.
Meta’s Head of People, Janelle Gale, said in an internal memo that the company is moving towards a flatter organisational structure designed to improve speed and accountability.
“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.”
“We believe this will make us more productive and make the work more rewarding,” Gale said.
