Meta’s Next Move Raises Questions Over Thousands of Jobs

Meta Platforms, led by Mark Zuckerberg, is reportedly preparing for a major round of layoffs that could affect nearly 20% of its global workforce. International media reports suggest that around 16,000 employees may lose their jobs.

The company currently employs about 79,000 people worldwide. If the reported plans move forward, this round of layoffs would be significantly larger than the job cuts carried out during the Year of Efficiency in 2022–23.

One of the main reasons behind this move is Meta’s increasing investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure. The company is reportedly planning to spend nearly 600 billion dollars on building data centers and developing advanced AI chips.

To balance these heavy investments, Meta is considering workforce reductions. Zuckerberg has indicated that AI-assisted work is changing the way tasks are handled within the company. According to him, tasks that previously required large teams can now be completed by a single skilled employee using advanced AI tools.

Reports suggest that middle management roles, teams working in Reality Labs related to the metaverse, and departments not directly focused on AI may be the most affected by these layoffs.

At the same time, Meta is also hiring new experts with large compensation packages to develop its own AI model called “Avocado,” highlighting the company’s growing focus on artificial intelligence.