Meta to Cut 10 Percent of Workforce in May as AI Investment Drives Efficiency Push

Meta Platforms announced in April 2026 that it will cut 10 percent of its global workforce, affecting approximately 8,000 employees. The first wave of layoffs is scheduled for May 20, with additional reductions planned later in the year.

The company is also closing roughly 6,000 open job roles it had intended to fill.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said that AI is making some hiring unnecessary, stating that projects previously requiring large teams can now be completed by a single talented individual. Meta plans to spend between $115 billion and $135 billion on AI in 2026, nearly double the previous year's capital expenditure.

Janelle Gale, Meta's Chief People Officer, told employees in an internal memo that the cuts would allow the company to "offset the other investments we're making." She acknowledged the "unwelcome news" and said confirming the layoffs now was the "best path forward."

Earlier in April, Meta also laid off around 700 people as part of what it called "right-sizing" its investment in Reality Labs, the division responsible for its virtual reality and metaverse products.

The layoffs follow losses in two pivotal court cases for Meta earlier in 2026.

Meta's moves mirror similar actions by Microsoft, which announced a voluntary retirement program for approximately 7 percent of its US workforce in the same week.