Meta Layoffs: Tech Giant Likely To Cut 8,000 Jobs in May Amid AI Push, Says Report
Meta Platforms is reportedly preparing to lay off around 10% of its global workforce—approximately 8,000 employees—in a fresh round of job cuts expected to begin next month. The move, part of a broader restructuring strategy, comes as the company accelerates investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and seeks to streamline operations.
New Delhi, April 18: US tech giant Meta (formerly Facebook) is reportedly planning to lay off at least 10 per cent of its global workforce, or nearly 8,000 workers, next month. Further layoffs are planned in the second half of the year, according to a Reuters report. However, the details of those layoffs have not been known yet. The initial round in May is likely to reduce about 10 per cent of its global workforce.
According to the report, the layoff plans may depend on the developments in the artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. Meta is reportedly planning to lay off 20 per cent or more of its total workforce. If implemented at that level, the job cuts could affect roughly 16,000 employees, based on Meta's workforce of nearly 79,000 people as of December 31, Meta Layoffs: Tech Giant Lays Off Hundreds in Silicon Valley As AI Push Raises Fears of 20% Workforce Reduction.
Meta has not confirmed the layoff plans yet. The Mark Zuckerberg-led company did not immediately comment on the report. Meanwhile, global tech layoffs are accelerating in 2026, with more than 80,000 jobs already cut in the first quarter and total losses likely to exceed 3 lakh this year, led by companies like Oracle, Amazon, and Meta, according to a latest report.
The report by TradingPlatforms noted that the latest wave of layoffs builds on a broader post-pandemic correction, with over one million tech jobs lost globally since 2021 as companies recalibrate hiring after the Covid-era expansion. Tech Layoffs 2026: Meta, Amazon, and Epic Games Slash Workforce Amid Strategic Industry Realignments.
Artificial intelligence and automation have emerged as key drivers of this transformation, with nearly half of all layoffs in 2026 linked to AI-related restructuring.
The US remains the worst-hit market, accounting for nearly 77 per cent of global layoffs so far this year, with over 61,000 job cuts across 62 companies. Among companies, Oracle has reported the highest number of layoffs globally in 2026, cutting more than 25,000 roles as part of a major restructuring tied to its AI infrastructure push. Amazon followed with around 16,000 job cuts amid efforts to streamline operations and improve efficiency.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 18, 2026 10:03 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).