AI-Driven Efficiency: Meta Set to Lay Off 20 Per Cent of Workforce

NEW YORK — Technology giant Meta is reported to be preparing large-scale redundancies that could affect 20 per cent or more of its total workforce. The information was disclosed by three sources familiar with the plan to Reuters.

According to CNBC, the redundancy plan is part of Meta’s efforts to reduce costs associated with significant investment in artificial intelligence and to improve labour efficiency through technology. However, top Meta executives have reportedly already informed senior company leaders of the plan and requested they begin designing organisational restructuring measures.

Responding to the reports, Meta spokesperson Andy Stone stated that the news remains speculative. “This is speculative reporting about a theoretical approach,” Stone said. At the same time, Meta has described the period as the “year of efficiency”.

Based on the latest financial reports, Meta employed nearly 79,000 staff as of 31 December 2025. Assuming a 20 per cent workforce reduction, the number of affected workers could reach approximately 15,800 people.

Cost-cutting through redundancies is not new for Meta. In November 2022, the company cut approximately 11,000 employees, representing around 13 per cent of its workforce at that time.

This wave of workforce reduction reflects the company’s changing strategy in responding to slowdown in the digital business and rising operational cost pressures.

Over the past year, CEO Mark Zuckerberg has pushed Meta to strengthen its competitive position in the generative artificial intelligence sector. The company has reportedly offered substantial compensation packages to attract top AI researchers to join new teams focused on superintelligence development.