Meta is once again significantly cutting its staff, this time reducing its workforce by 10 percent. According to Bloomberg, about 8,000 people will lose their jobs, and the company will also eliminate around 6,000 open positions.
In an internal memo, Janelle Gale, Meta’s head of human resources, explained that these latest cuts are “part of our continued effort to run the company more efficiently and to allow us to offset the other investments we’re making.” These “other investments” likely refer to artificial intelligence, as Meta is developing its own AI models and reportedly training them using its own staff. The company’s smart glasses are also increasingly relying on AI capabilities.
Today’s layoffs probably do not signal the end of Meta’s current downsizing. A report from March suggested that Meta was planning to reduce its workforce by as much as 20 percent, though no specific timeline was provided. Shortly after those reports circulated, the company cut hundreds of jobs, mainly within its Reality Labs division. Meta also started 2026 by shrinking its metaverse operations, closing three VR studios.
These ongoing staff reductions show Meta’s strong focus on efficiency and a strategic shift towards AI. While the metaverse was once a primary focus, the company now appears to be prioritizing its investments in artificial intelligence, believing it will be key to its future growth and innovation. The repeated layoffs highlight a challenging period for employees as Meta restructures its operations.
The company’s push into AI involves not just developing new models but also integrating these advanced capabilities into its hardware products, like smart glasses. This strategic pivot aims to make Meta more competitive in the evolving tech landscape. As Meta continues to streamline its operations and reallocate resources, further changes to its workforce remain a possibility, aligning with earlier reports of a larger overall reduction.
