Meta targets May 20 for first layoff wave, more cuts planned in 2026

Meta is preparing to launch a new round of layoffs, with the first wave expected on May 20, as the tech giant accelerates its shift toward artificial intelligence (AI), according to sources familiar with the matter.

The initial cuts could impact roughly 10% of Meta’s global workforce — nearly 8,000 employees — with additional layoffs planned later in 2026.

While details of subsequent rounds remain unclear, executives are expected to adjust the scale and timing based on the pace of AI development and internal restructuring efforts.

Meta, headquartered in Menlo Park, declined to comment on the reported plans.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg has committed significant investment into AI, aiming to transform the company’s operations and reduce reliance on traditional management layers.

The move reflects a broader trend across the tech industry, where companies are prioritising automation and efficiency.

Other firms, including Amazon and Block, have also implemented major workforce reductions in recent months, citing productivity gains driven by AI.

The reported cuts would mark Meta’s largest workforce reduction since its “year of efficiency” restructuring in 2022 and 2023, when approximately 21,000 jobs were eliminated.

Despite the planned layoffs, Meta remains financially strong, reporting more than $200 billion in revenue and $60 billion in profit last year. The company employed nearly 79,000 people as of the end of December.

Recent internal changes include reorganizing its Reality Labs division and expanding a new Applied AI team focused on developing autonomous systems capable of complex tasks, signaling a deeper shift toward an AI-driven future.