Technology giant Meta Platforms is reportedly considering a major round of layoffs that could affect up to 20% of its global workforce, as the company looks for ways to manage costs while investing heavily in artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The potential job cuts are seen as part of broader efforts by Meta to reduce expenses and offset the significant financial commitments it has made toward building and expanding its AI capabilities.
According to internal discussions cited by sources familiar with the matter, Meta has been spending large sums on acquiring technology companies and hiring specialists with expertise in artificial intelligence. These investments are aimed at strengthening the company’s position in the rapidly growing AI sector.
As of December 31, 2025, Meta employed approximately 79,000 people worldwide.
The development comes at a time when several technology companies are cutting jobs while simultaneously expanding their use of artificial intelligence. Recently, the fintech company Block, Inc. also initiated layoffs, citing the growing role of AI systems that are increasingly capable of performing tasks previously handled by human employees.
However, some analysts and industry leaders argue that artificial intelligence is not always the main reason behind these workforce reductions.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has suggested that companies sometimes cite AI as a justification for layoffs while the underlying causes may lie elsewhere. He pointed out that many technology firms significantly expanded hiring during the COVID-19 pandemic, only to later realize that they had overstaffed their operations.
Meta has previously carried out large-scale layoffs in recent years. In November 2022, the company cut about 11,000 jobs. This was followed by another round of layoffs in March 2023 that affected roughly 10,000 employees.
At the time, the company said the measures were intended to reduce operating costs and refocus resources on emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence.
Meta has not yet officially confirmed whether it will proceed with another round of layoffs on the scale currently being discussed. Analysts say such a move could reflect the company’s broader strategy to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving technology industry increasingly shaped by AI innovation.