Meta Reportedly Initiates Global Layoffs; AI-Focused Restructuring Sparks Employee Backlash

(CNA, San Francisco, May 18, Comprehensive Foreign Report) Facebook's parent company, Meta, sent a memo to employees today explaining the layoff plan to be executed this week, and pointed out that this global workforce reduction will be coordinated with a new wave of organizational restructuring aimed at improving artificial intelligence (AI) workflows. Reuters previously reported that Meta plans to formally send out dismissal notices on May 20, cutting 10% of its staff, approximately 8,000 people, with another, larger round of layoffs expected later this year. According to the memo seen by Reuters, Meta's Head of Human Resources, Janelle Gale, told employees that the company plans to reassign another 7,000 employees to new AI-related projects and reduce management positions. A Meta spokesperson declined to comment on the plan. It is understood that to prevent the return of laid-off personnel, Gale said in an earlier memo that Meta has also closed 6,000 new job openings as part of this workforce adjustment. According to company data, Meta had a total of 77,986 employees as of March this year. This wave of changes at Meta has triggered strong backlash from employees, who have not only posted protest flyers in the office but also expressed their dissatisfaction on the internal communication platform Workplace.