Meta to Cut 8,000 Jobs Wednesday in Largest AI Restructuring Yet - OpenTools

Meta will lay off 8,000 employees on May 20, 2026, representing approximately 10% of its total workforce. The company also plans to reassign 7,000 staff to artificial intelligence-related roles and close 6,000 open positions. The move is part of what Meta describes as a major restructuring to focus on AI development.

The layoffs and reassignments occur as Meta shifts resources toward building AI products and services. The 7,000 employees being reassigned will move into roles focused on machine learning, data science, and AI engineering. The 6,000 closed positions were previously listed vacancies that will no longer be filled. The company has not specified which departments will be most affected by the reductions.

This restructuring is among the largest workforce adjustments in the tech sector driven by AI priorities. The company has stated that the current changes are intended to 'streamline operations and invest more heavily in AI capabilities.'