Meta to move 7,000 staff to focus on AI development

Jakarta – Meta is reportedly moving around 7,000 employees to four new divisions focused on the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, amid a wave of layoffs affecting thousands of the company’s staff. According to Engadget on Monday, 18 May local time, Meta’s Chief Human Resources Officer Janelle Gale said the restructuring was aimed at boosting the company’s productivity while making work more efficient, with a flatter management layer. In an internal memo, Gale said the four new divisions would operate with an AI-centric work structure and a leaner management layer. Earlier, Meta announced plans to cut about 8,000 jobs and close 6,000 open roles as part of the company’s efficiency drive. The move is said to reflect Meta’s focus on investments in AI technology development. In recent years, many global technology companies have begun trimming their workforces to redirect investment toward the AI sector. The tech giant is reportedly building data centres with tens of gigawatts of capacity this decade, forming a Superintelligence team of AI experts, and developing AI agents and chatbots integrated into various Meta products. CEO Mark Zuckerberg is even said to be directly involved in recruiting AI talent, inviting several potential candidates to his residence. By the end of 2025, Meta was reported to employ around 78,000 people. With the 8,000 job cuts, that number would represent almost 10 percent of the company’s total workforce. Employees affected by the layoffs are said to receive severance pay of 16 weeks, plus an additional two weeks for each year of service.