Meta to Begin 10% Workforce Reduction as It Shifts Toward AI
NEW DELHI — Meta is expected to begin laying off 10% of its global workforce on Wednesday as part of a major reorganization aimed at streamlining operations and accelerating its artificial intelligence strategy, according to multiple reports.
The U.S.-based technology company is seeking to eliminate some managerial roles and restructure teams around smaller “AI-native” units designed to speed decision-making, the reports said.
Meta also reportedly plans to close about 6,000 open positions. The broader changes, including transfers, could affect roughly 20% of its current workforce.
If the cuts are carried out at that scale, about 16,000 employees could be affected, based on Meta’s workforce of nearly 79,000 as of Dec. 31.
Some employees have pushed back against the overhaul, staging protests at company offices and posting complaints on Meta’s internal platform, Workplace.
More than 1,000 staff members have signed a petition opposing new mouse-tracking software Meta is using to train AI systems, citing privacy concerns.
The reported cuts come as global technology layoffs continue to accelerate in 2026. More than 80,000 jobs were eliminated in the first quarter, and total losses could exceed 300,000 this year, according to a report. Companies including Oracle, Amazon and Meta have been among those driving the reductions.
A separate report by TradingPlatforms said the latest round of layoffs is part of a wider post-pandemic correction in the technology sector. More than 1 million tech jobs have been lost globally since 2021 as companies recalibrate after rapid hiring during the Covid-era expansion.
Artificial intelligence and automation have become major factors in the restructuring. Nearly half of all tech layoffs in 2026 have been linked to AI-related changes, according to the report.
The United States remains the hardest-hit market, accounting for about 77% of global tech layoffs so far this year, with more than 61,000 job cuts across 62 companies.
Oracle has reported the largest number of layoffs globally in 2026, cutting more than 25,000 roles as part of a major restructuring tied to its AI infrastructure push. (Source: IANS)
