Meta cuts 8,000 roles to fund $135 billion AI push
The technology giant is shifting over 7,000 staff to new artificial intelligence initiatives while closing 6,000 open positions as it prepares for a massive spending increase in 2026.
Meta has notified approximately 8,000 employees of layoffs, representing around 10 percent of its total workforce, to offset heavy investments in artificial intelligence. The reductions, confirmed in a memo shared in May, revise earlier reports from March that suggested cuts of up to 20 percent of the company’s headcount.
In an email shared by Business Insider, management informed impacted staff that the headcount reduction is part of a continued effort to run the company more efficiently and to allow for other strategic investments. The memo closed with a statement of gratitude for the contributions of those leaving the organisation.
The workforce adjustment coincides with Meta’s capital expenditure forecast for 2026, which projects spending between $115 billion and $135 billion. This figure, nearly double the $72.22 billion spent in 2025, is designated to support Meta Superintelligence Labs efforts and core business operations.
Concurrently, the company is restructuring its remaining workforce. According to Bloomberg, Meta is moving over 7,000 staff to new AI initiatives and closing 6,000 open roles. Some affected employees have posted on LinkedIn, showing employee badges and confirming the cuts are underway, with one former employee noting she was let go alongside 8,000 other metamates.
Meta has reached out to confirm the final number of affected employees, indicating the figure is still being verified internally. The company’s total workforce stands at approximately 78,000 employees.
