Meta has begun laying off about 8,000 employees, nearly 10 per cent of its global workforce, as the tech giant ramps up investment in artificial intelligence.
The layoffs started on Wednesday, with workers across several regions, including Singapore, among the first to receive notices, according to Bloomberg.
The latest cuts are part of Meta’s broader restructuring strategy centred on AI. Earlier this year, the company disclosed plans to cancel about 6,000 new hires while redeploying nearly 7,000 employees into AI-focused positions.
In a memo to staff, Meta Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged the emotional impact of the decision, saying parting ways with employees was never easy.
“It’s always sad to say goodbye to people who have contributed to our mission and to building this company. I feel the weight of that,” Zuckerberg wrote.
He assured employees that no additional large-scale layoffs are expected this year and admitted the company could have handled communication around the restructuring more effectively.
Despite the workforce reduction, Zuckerberg said Meta remains firmly committed to advancing artificial intelligence, describing the company as one of the few capable of shaping the technology’s future.
According to him, Meta’s long-term ambition is to develop what he called “personal superintelligence” tools for users.
The latest job cuts mark Meta’s biggest workforce reduction since its 2022–2023 restructuring, when the company eliminated roughly 21,000 jobs during Zuckerberg’s so-called “Year of Efficiency.”
At the same time, Meta is significantly increasing spending on AI infrastructure, with projected investment for the year estimated between $125 billion and $145 billion.
