Meta lays off thousands of employees to hire AI specialists

Meta Platforms began a large-scale staff reduction process on Monday, notifying employees of layoffs via email. The company plans to rid itself of “inefficient workers” to attract new talent in artificial intelligence.

According to sources familiar with the situation, U.S. employees are being offered a generous severance package, including 16 weeks of base salary plus two additional weeks for each year of service at the company. Employees whose performance warranted a bonus will receive it, as well as planned company stock rewards this month.

Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, previously announced plans to cut 5% of the workforce – about 3,600 people, focusing on employees “not meeting expectations.” U.S. workers received notifications on February 10, while international staff will be informed later.

In a separate message to managers, the Facebook co-founder emphasized that the layoffs will create opportunities to hire “strongest talent” into the company.

Layoffs have become regular at Meta: the company already conducted large-scale dismissals in 2022 and 2023 as part of an efficiency improvement program. The current wave of cuts should be completed by the end of February and is being conducted amid fierce competition in AI with companies like OpenAI and DeepSeek.

In late January, Zuckerberg told investors that Meta plans to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in AI infrastructure. The Menlo Park, California-based company is implementing artificial intelligence technologies across all its applications and business lines: from social platforms Instagram and Facebook to virtual reality glasses.