Meta Cuts 8,000 Jobs in AI Efficiency Push

Meta Platforms is laying off approximately 8,000 employees, about 10% of its workforce, and canceling 6,000 open roles effective May 20. The cuts, disclosed in an internal memo from Chief People Officer Janelle Gale, aim to fund a massive AI spending surge, with capital expenditure guidance reaching $135 billion in 2026. The layoffs are structural rather than performance-based, with remaining teams being reorganized into AI-focused units. It marks Meta's largest workforce reduction since 2022-2023 and is part of a broader tech industry trend, with roughly 95,000 tech workers laid off in 2026 so far.