Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram and a global tech giant, is once again preparing for mass layoffs. According to a Reuters report, Meta is set to cut about 10 percent of its global workforce starting May 20, 2026. In the first phase, around 8,000 employees will be laid off.

The company’s structure is being redesigned for AI
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is restructuring the company’s entire operations around Artificial Intelligence (AI). Zuckerberg is investing billions of dollars in AI- initiatives. The company aims to make its products and internal workings completely AI-based. Due to this technological change and prioritization of automation, positions that no longer fit the company’s new strategy are being eliminated.

More layoffs possible by the end of the year
According to the report, the layoffs starting May 20 are only the first phase. Sources say another round of layoffs may take place in the second half of 2026. The scale of these additional reductions will depend on how quickly and effectively Meta is able to incorporate AI into its processes.

Automation dominates the tech industry
These layoffs at Meta are part of a larger trend that is currently spreading throughout the tech industry. Companies are now shifting their focus from human workforce to AI-based efficiency. This move by Meta is considered to be one of the biggest workforce cuts made by the company in recent years.

A look at the timeline

First wave on May 20, 2026: About 8,000 employees—10% of the global workforce—are planned to be laid off.
Further cuts in the second half of 2026: the exact dates and scale have not yet been decided, but the plan is ready.
As early as January 2026: About 10% of the Reality Labs division’s employees—a total of more than 1,000 employees—had already been laid off.
Overall target: According to reports, the workforce could be reduced by 20% or more through 2026.