Meta Lays Off Nearly 4,000 Employees Amid AI Investment Push

Meta has begun a new round of layoffs, affecting nearly 4,000 employees—about 5% of its workforce. While the company claims the cuts target underperformers, some employees report being let go despite receiving satisfactory performance ratings.

A Sudden and Unexpected Layoff

According to Business Insider, Meta initiated mass layoffs on Monday, February 10, impacting employees across multiple regions, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The move aligns with the company’s strategy to streamline operations and increase financial resources for artificial intelligence (AI) investments.

However, not all affected employees fit the “low performer” category. At least eight former employees told Business Insider they had received “Met” or “Above Expectations” ratings in Meta’s 2024 mid-year review—yet they still lost their jobs.

“I was surprised to receive the email. My work history has been excellent, and there were no signs of performance issues in the past six months,” one laid-off employee shared.

The termination notice downgraded some employees’ performance ratings to “Meets Mostly”, which indicates they did not fully achieve their expected targets—making them eligible for dismissal.

Meta has not publicly commented on the reports.

Performance Reviews and Workforce Reductions

Meta conducted its latest performance review in December 2024. Leaked internal documents suggest that HR managers were instructed to consider cutting employees—even those with higher ratings—if necessary to meet reduction targets.

This latest round of layoffs is part of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s long-term vision to reduce workforce size while aggressively investing in AI and virtual reality (VR). Industry analysts predict that annual layoffs could become a standard practice at Meta as the company restructures its workforce to adapt to emerging technologies.

Meta’s Shift Towards AI and Machine Learning

Zuckerberg has been vocal about AI’s potential to replace human roles, especially in engineering.

In January 2025, he stated that AI advancements might soon allow companies, including Meta, to automate mid-level engineering tasks.

“Maybe in 2025, AI will be strong enough to handle the work of mid-level engineers at Meta and other companies,” Zuckerberg said.

As part of this transformation, Meta is ramping up hiring efforts for machine learning engineers—a critical area for AI development and implementation.

Meta’s History of Workforce Reductions

This is not the first time Meta has made massive job cuts.

– In late 2022 and early 2023, the company laid off over 20,000 employees across two waves.

– Meta spent more than $3.5 billion on these layoffs, including:

+) $2.5 billion for facility consolidation (closing and streamlining office spaces).

+) $1 billion for severance and other personnel costs.

Zuckerberg defended the move, stating it was necessary to achieve Meta’s 2023 financial goals:

– 16% revenue growth

– 69% profit growth

The company’s ability to increase revenue and profitability despite major layoffs suggests that Meta will likely continue prioritizing AI investments over workforce expansion in the future.

A New Era for Meta’s Workforce

As Meta continues to push for technological advancements, the company’s employment strategy is shifting dramatically.

– Layoffs are becoming an annual event, especially for non-AI-related roles.

– Machine learning engineers and AI specialists are in high demand.

– Automation is set to replace mid-level roles, particularly in engineering.

While these changes align with Meta’s AI-driven future, they raise concerns about job security for employees outside of AI and machine learning fields.

For now, Meta remains focused on reshaping its workforce—favoring AI development while continuously cutting roles that no longer align with its long-term vision.