Meta Reassigns 7,000 Employees to AI Initiatives Ahead of Layoffs
Meta is shifting 7,000 employees to new AI-focused roles and plans to lay off approximately 8,000 workers as part of its strategic realignment toward artificial intelligence.
Meta has announced the reassignment of 7,000 employees to new organizations dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives. In an internal memo, Janelle Gale, Meta's head of human resources, stated that these groups will employ "AI native design structures" and feature a reduced manager-to-employee ratio. Detailed information about the new roles is expected to be provided to employees on Wednesday.
This restructuring precedes planned layoffs affecting approximately 8,000 employees, or 10% of Meta's workforce, scheduled for Wednesday. The company, which operates Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has been investing heavily in AI development and aims to enhance operational efficiency through these changes.
The tech industry has seen similar trends, with companies like Cisco, Microsoft, Block, and Coinbase announcing layoffs and reorganizations to focus on AI advancements. Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has emphasized the company's commitment to AI, planning to invest between $115 billion and $135 billion this year, primarily in AI development.
As part of this strategic shift, Meta has reduced its focus on the metaverse and encouraged employees to integrate AI into their daily tasks. The company has also included AI utilization in performance evaluations.
In her memo, Ms. Gale addressed the upcoming layoffs, advising employees to work remotely on Wednesday and informing them that notifications will be sent at 4 a.m. local time. Affected U.S. employees will receive 16 weeks of severance pay, plus an additional two weeks for each year of service.
"We know days like this are extremely hard, and we appreciate you showing up for each other," Ms. Gale wrote.