Meta’s inaugural round of workforce reductions for this year is imminent. According to three sources familiar with the situation, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook intends to diminish its global staff by approximately 10%, translating to nearly 8,000 jobs, during this initial phase.
Further layoffs are anticipated later in the year, as confirmed by the same sources; however, specifics regarding these prospective cuts remain ambiguous.
This unfolding scenario arises as Meta’s CEO, Marc Zuckerberg, directs the organization towards substantial investments in artificial intelligence.
Sources reveal that executives may recalibrate their strategies in light of advancements in AI capabilities. Recently, it was reported by Reuters that the tech giant was contemplating reducing its total global workforce by 20% or more.
When is Meta’s first wave of layoffs scheduled for 2026?
Reports indicate that Meta’s first round of layoffs for the current year is slated for May 20.
Subsequent rounds of job eliminations are projected later in the year, according to insider information shared with Reuters.
What motivates Meta’s job cuts in 2026?
In a November 2025 press release, Meta declared a monumental $600 billion investment to enhance AI technology, infrastructure, and workforce augmentation, encompassing the establishment of state-of-the-art AI data centers.
Sources indicate that Zuckerberg envisions restructuring the company centered around this nascent technology. Meta’s approach to AI is reflective of broader trends across the tech industry.
For instance, Amazon.com has recently eradicated 30,000 corporate roles, with tech titan Oracle also enacting similar job cuts.
In recent weeks, Meta has undertaken significant changes within its Reality Labs division, redistributing engineers to a newly established “Applied AI” organization dedicated to crafting AI agents capable of autonomously coding and performing intricate tasks.
An insider mentioned that some employees might also transition to the newly formed Meta Small Business unit, launched last month as part of the comprehensive corporate restructuring.
Financially, Meta remains robust, with its shares appreciating by 3.68% since the year’s inception. Last year, the tech giant amassed over $200 billion in revenue and reported a profit of $60 billion.
Nevertheless, the job market has experienced notable volatility this year.
Layoffs. fyi, a platform tracking job reductions in the tech sector globally has recorded that 73,212 workers have been laid off in 2026 thus far.
Source link: The-express.com.
