Meta Cuts 8,000 Jobs While Shifting 7,000 Staff to AI Roles
Meta dismissed 8,000 employees this week, about 10 percent of its workforce, and reassigned 7,000 others to AI-focused positions. The moves come as the company plans to spend up to $145 billion on capital expenditures this year.
New York PostMeta dismissed 8,000 employees this week, about 10 percent of its workforce, and reassigned 7,000 others to AI-focused positions. The cuts were announced in a Wednesday memo from CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The memo stated that success is not guaranteed in the AI race and that the companies that lead will define the next generation.
M. local time in each region. Zuckerberg said the company does not expect further company-wide layoffs this year. After the reductions, Meta will have an estimated 71,000 employees, down from its December headcount. The company has now cut more than 30,000 positions since 2022.
3 billion in revenue for the first quarter, up 33 percent from a year earlier. 7 billion, exceeding analyst expectations. The company plans to spend between $125 billion and $145 billion on capital expenditures this year, roughly double the $72 billion spent in 2025. The spending is tied to AI infrastructure and development.
Some laid-off workers posted on social media and workplace forums about the cuts. One former content designer said she felt relief after the layoff because she had worried her role could be replaced by AI. Other employees described low morale and uncertainty about future rounds of reductions.
Tech companies including Cisco, Block, Snap, and Cloudflare have also announced job cuts this year while increasing AI-related spending. >"Success isn’t a given. " — Mark Zuckerberg, Wednesday memo (Fortune, New York Post) >"We’re transforming our company to make sure it will always be the best place for talented people to have the greatest impact.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
5 events- 2022
Meta conducted first major layoffs, cutting 11,000 jobs.
3 sourcesFortune · New York Post - 2023
Zuckerberg announced a year of efficiency and cut another 10,000 positions.
3 sourcesFortune · New York Post - March 2026
Reuters reported Meta was preparing sweeping layoffs to offset AI infrastructure costs.
3 sourcesFortune · New York Post - Late April 2026
Meta reported first-quarter revenue of $56.3 billion and capital spending plans of $125-145 billion.
3 sourcesFortune · New York Post - Wednesday
Zuckerberg sent memo announcing 8,000 layoffs and 7,000 role reassignments.
3 sourcesFortune · New York Post
Potential Impact
- 01
Meta will operate with a smaller workforce focused more on AI projects.
- 02
Laid-off employees will receive severance including at least 16 weeks of base pay.
- 03
Other technology firms may announce similar workforce reductions this year.
Transparency Panel
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