Meta to Begin Layoffs Monday, Focuses on AI Hiring

Meta Platforms is set to begin company-wide layoffs on Monday, according to internal memos seen by Reuters. Employees losing their jobs will receive notifications starting at 5 a.m. local time in most countries, including the U.S. However, workers in Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands will be exempt due to local regulations. Employees in over a dozen other nations across Europe, Asia, and Africa will be informed between February 11 and February 18.

The layoffs, described as "performance terminations" by Meta's Head of People, Janelle Gale, will impact around 5% of the company’s lowest performers, aligning with previously announced plans. Unlike past layoffs, Meta will keep its offices open on Monday and will not provide additional updates regarding the decisions.

Despite the job cuts, Meta is ramping up its hiring of machine learning engineers and other critical roles. A memo from Peng Fan, VP of Engineering for Monetization, urged staff to support an accelerated hiring process between February 11 and March 13. Meta aims to align its workforce with its priorities for 2025, focusing on AI and business-critical areas.

The layoffs reflect Meta’s ongoing efforts to streamline operations while investing in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.