Meta will lay off about ten percent of its employees for reorganization driven by artificial intelligence initiatives and productivity improvements

Meta is cutting almost 10 % of its workforce – about 8,000 people

* Date and scale:

- The first wave of layoffs is scheduled for May 20, 2026 and will affect roughly 8,000 employees (about ten percent of the total staff).

- The second round of cuts will be announced in the second half‑year; exact dates and numbers affected are not yet determined.

* Reason:

- Mark Zuckerberg is reshaping the company around artificial intelligence, abandoning thousands of jobs to increase business efficiency.

What is known about the plans
Indicator Information Sources
Three anonymous sources familiar with the company's plans told Reuters.
Date of first wave May 20, 2026.
Scale of second wave Will be adjusted based on AI development.
Previous cuts End of 2022–early 2023 Meta cut about 21,000 employees (the “efficiency year” period).
Current staff As of December 31, 2025 the company employed roughly 79,000 people.

Financial context
* Revenue and profit:

- In 2025 Meta earned more than $200 million and net profit was $60 million.

* Stock price:

- Since the start of 2026 shares have risen 3.68 %, but have not yet reached the record level of summer 2025.

* AI investments:

- Zuckerberg is investing hundreds of billions of dollars in AI development, reducing management layers and boosting employee productivity through AI tools.

Trend in the technology sector
Company Layoffs Reason
Amazon.com 30,000 people (~10 % of intellectual labor) over recent months Efficiency gains via AI
Block (fintech) Nearly half the workforce laid off in February 2026 Similar AI‑focused strategy

* Total number laid off:

- According to Layoffs.fyi, since early 2026 the tech sector has lost 73,212 jobs, compared with 153,000 in 2024.

Restructuring within Meta
* Reality Labs – the department was reorganized.
* Applied AI – a new structure where engineers from various units are transferred; goal is to accelerate development of autonomous software systems based on AI (that can write code and perform complex tasks).
* Meta Small Business – a unit created in March 2026, into which part of employees will be moved.

Thus, Meta continues its large‑scale restructuring focused on artificial intelligence while cutting almost 10 % of its workforce and reorganizing key technology directions.