This comes after reports that CEO Mark Zuckerberg had grown frustrated with the AI division following the lukewarm reception of their Llama 4 AI system
Meta Platforms, Inc. has officially announced the elimination of 600 positions within its artificial intelligence division, a move that reflects broader concerns permeating the technology sector.
Notably, these reductions occur concurrently with Meta’s ongoing recruitment efforts aimed at bolstering its superintelligence laboratory.
Initial reports from Axios indicate that the layoffs will predominantly affect the company’s Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) unit, alongside segments responsible for product-related AI and AI infrastructure.
Conversely, the emergent TBD Lab segment will not be subjected to these cuts. A memo disseminated by Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang, as reported by Axios, encourages impacted employees to explore alternative roles within Meta, with a significant number anticipated to transition successfully.
Despite these changes, Meta remains committed to augmenting its workforce for the TBD Lab, which is dedicated to advancing new large language models. These models serve as the foundation for influential technologies, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Meta’s own Llama.
In contrast to numerous contemporaries, Meta has embraced a distinctive philosophy concerning AI, opting to release its flagship Llama system as an open-source product, thereby granting users the capacity to utilize and modify key elements.
Reports suggest that CEO Mark Zuckerberg has expressed growing dissatisfaction with the company’s AI evolution, particularly following the lackluster response to the Llama 4 models introduced in April.
Although Meta asserts that over one billion individuals engage with its AI offerings monthly, it is widely perceived as lagging behind competitors such as OpenAI and Google in fostering consumer adoption of large language models (LLMs).
An internal communication accessed by CNBC revealed that a segment of employees has been informed that November 21 marks their dismissal date. Until that point, they are classified as being in a “non-working notice period.”
The message stipulated: “During this time, your internal access will be removed, and you do not need to undertake any further work for Meta. You may use this opportunity to seek alternative employment within the company.”
This development coincides with expansive layoffs impacting the tech industry. Amazon, for instance, is poised to reduce its workforce by a staggering half a million employees, asserting that automation would facilitate a doubling of product sales.
Documentation acquired by the New York Times indicates that the company aspires to automate 75 percent of its warehouse operations.
Moreover, initiatives are underway to rebrand this technology, labeling it as “advanced technology” or “cobots” in lieu of traditional terms like “AI” or “robots.”
Amazon has contested the accuracy and completeness of the documents cited by the Times, as it proceeds with plans to downsize approximately 1,500 of its 10,000 HR personnel.
Source link: Themirror.com.
