Overview
- Three Reuters sources say Meta is evaluating layoffs that could reach roughly one-fifth of staff, with senior leaders told to plan how to pare back.
- No date or final scope has been set, and a company spokesperson called the coverage “speculative reporting about theoretical approaches.”
- With about 79,000 employees at year-end, a 20% reduction would translate to roughly 16,000 roles.
- The deliberations track massive AI commitments, including a stated $600 billion data-center buildout through 2028, outsized pay to recruit researchers, and deals for Moltbook and a $2 billion purchase of Manus.
- Meta’s AI push follows setbacks and delays with Llama 4, the shelved Behemoth variant, and the Avocado model, as other tech giants such as Amazon and Block cite AI efficiency in recent headcount cuts.