Meta Platforms has laid off several hundred employees across multiple teams as it continues to reshape its business around artificial intelligence.
According to sources familiar with the move, the job cuts happened on Wednesday and affected units including Reality Labs, social media teams, recruiting, and parts of global operations.
While the scale is smaller than earlier projections, the layoffs are part of a broader restructuring effort that has been under discussion for some time. Earlier reports suggested the company had considered deeper cuts that could impact up to 20 percent of its workforce, though those plans have not been fully implemented.
In a statement, Meta said the changes are part of ongoing adjustments within the company.
“Teams across Meta regularly restructure to ensure they are in the best position to achieve their goals. Where possible, we are finding other opportunities for employees whose roles are affected,” a spokesperson said.
As of its last annual filing, Meta employed close to 79,000 people, meaning even targeted layoffs still affect a significant number of workers.
The shift is largely driven by cost priorities and a stronger push into AI. The company is projecting total spending of between $162 billion and $169 billion in 2026, with a major portion going into data centres, computing infrastructure, and specialised talent.
At the same time, Meta is scaling back in areas that are no longer central to its strategy. Its Reality Labs division, which focuses on virtual and augmented reality, has recorded heavy losses, estimated at around $16 billion between 2023 and 2025.
Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg has now made it clear that AI will take priority, with less emphasis on AR and VR projects going forward.
Some affected employees, particularly those outside the United States, are being offered opportunities to transition into other roles or relocate within the company.
Meta’s move reflects a wider trend in the tech industry, where companies are cutting back in certain areas while pouring more resources into AI, seen as the next major driver of growth.
