Meta has announced plans to cut around 8,000 jobs roughly 10% of its workforce as the company significantly ramps up spending on artificial intelligence (AI) projects.
According to an internal memo, the layoffs will take place next month, alongside a freeze on hiring for thousands of open roles. The move reflects a major strategic shift, with Meta planning to spend up to $135 billion on AI in 2026 alone an amount nearly equal to its total AI investment over the previous three years combined.
Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg had earlier indicated the shift stating that AI is transforming workplace productivity. He noted that tasks once requiring large teams can now be handled by significantly fewer workers using advanced AI tools.
“I think that 2026 is going to be the year that AI starts to dramatically change the way that we work,” Zuckerberg said.
The latest cuts follow earlier layoffs this year during which Meta had already reduced its workforce by about 2,000 employees. The upcoming downsizing will mark the company’s largest round of job cuts since 2023.
Meta’s internal focus has increasingly shifted toward developing AI models and infrastructure. The company recently informed employees it would begin tracking interactions with work computers to help train AI systems an initiative that has sparked concern among staff.
The trend is not limited to Meta. Other major tech firms are also restructuring amid rising AI investments. Amazon has laid off more than 30,000 workers, while Oracle has cut over 10,000 jobs. Meanwhile, Microsoft has offered voluntary buyouts to long-serving employees.
Industry analysts say the wave of layoffs signals a broader transformation in the global tech sector, where companies are prioritizing automation and AI-driven efficiency over traditional workforce expansion.
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Meta layoffs 2026, AI job cuts, Mark Zuckerberg AI strategy, tech layoffs global, artificial intelligence workforce impact, Amazon layoffs, Microsoft buyouts, Oracle job cuts, automation trends, Asian Burg Tech Desk
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