California judge won't block Meta layoffs amid claims AI targeted workers on medical leave

A California judge has declined to block layoffs at Meta, denying a request for a temporary restraining order that would have halted the job cuts pending further litigation. The decision allows Meta to proceed with its workforce reduction while the underlying lawsuit moves forward. The judge concluded that the plaintiffs had not demonstrated the immediate irreparable harm required for such emergency relief.

The lawsuit, filed by a group of employees, alleges that Meta used artificial intelligence tools to target workers on medical leave for termination. The plaintiffs claim the company's algorithms identified these employees as low performers or redundant, violating state and federal disability discrimination laws. The specific methodology of the AI system has not been disclosed, and Meta has denied the allegations.

The ruling does not address the merits of the discrimination claims, which will be litigated in the coming months. The case is part of a broader trend of legal challenges to the use of AI in employment decisions, as regulators and courts grapple with the implications of automated hiring and firing systems. Similar lawsuits have been filed against other major technology companies, raising questions about algorithmic bias and accountability.