Meta is set to begin a major workforce restructuring this week as the company increases its focus on artificial intelligence, according to a Reuters report.
The parent company of Facebook plans to cut around 10% of its global workforce on May 20 while shifting nearly 7,000 employees into new AI-related teams, based on an internal memo from Chief People Officer Janelle Gale reviewed by Reuters.
The overhaul, combined with earlier employee transfers and the cancellation of 6,000 open positions, is expected to impact nearly one-fifth of Meta’s total workforce.
The company is reorganising its operations as it invests heavily in AI products, infrastructure, and automation technologies. Meta had 77,986 employees as of the end of March, company filings showed. Staff in North America were also asked to work remotely on Wednesday while the layoffs take place.
As part of the restructuring, Meta is reportedly removing some management roles and moving workers into newly formed AI divisions such as Applied AI Engineering, Agent Transformation Accelerator, and Central Analytics.
These teams are focused on building AI agents designed to independently handle tasks that are currently performed by employees.
The changes have sparked criticism from workers inside the company. More than 1,000 employees have signed a petition against Meta’s planned use of mouse-tracking software, which is intended to train AI systems by monitoring how people use computers.
Employees have also raised concerns internally about privacy issues linked to the tracking technology and criticised company leadership for not addressing earlier reports about possible layoffs.
Also Read: Meta acquires robotics startup to boost its humanoid AI ambitions
