Meta to Lay Off 10% of Staff in May

TL;DR

Meta Layoffs: Meta plans to cut 10% of its staff, roughly 8,000 employees, starting May 20 as outlined in an internal memo.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/tech/meta-will-lay-off-8-000-employees-in-may-memo-ce8b97f0)
Hiring Freeze: The company will cancel plans to fill 6,000 open roles while notifying affected workers on May 20.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/tech/meta-will-lay-off-8-000-employees-in-may-memo-ce8b97f0)
AI Tradeoff: Cuts aim to boost efficiency and fund up to $135 billion in artificial intelligence infrastructure spending this year.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/tech/meta-will-lay-off-8-000-employees-in-may-memo-ce8b97f0)

The story at a glance

Meta Platforms announced plans in an internal memo viewed by The Wall Street Journal to lay off roughly 8,000 employees, or 10% of its workforce, with notifications beginning May 20. Chief People Officer Janelle Gale wrote the memo, citing needs for operational efficiency and to offset heavy artificial intelligence investments. The news broke Thursday amid Meta's push into AI tools and models for its 3.5 billion daily users. This follows recent staff growth after earlier cuts.

Key points

Memo from Chief People Officer Janelle Gale states layoffs of 10% of staff, roughly 8,000 people, to streamline operations and pay for AI investments.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/tech/meta-will-lay-off-8-000-employees-in-may-memo-ce8b97f0)
Company will scrap hiring for 6,000 open roles; affected employees notified on May 20.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/tech/meta-will-lay-off-8-000-employees-in-may-memo-ce8b97f0)
Meta plans up to $135 billion in AI infrastructure spending this year to build personal superintelligence.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/tech/meta-will-lay-off-8-000-employees-in-may-memo-ce8b97f0)
Released first new AI model in a year, Muse Spark, earlier this month; more releases planned.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/tech/meta-will-lay-off-8-000-employees-in-may-memo-ce8b97f0)
Rolled out employee tracking tool this week to capture keystrokes, mouse movements, and clicks for AI training.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/tech/meta-will-lay-off-8-000-employees-in-may-memo-ce8b97f0)
Head count stood at 78,865 as of December 2025.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/tech/meta-will-lay-off-8-000-employees-in-may-memo-ce8b97f0)

Details and context

The layoffs add to recent cuts, including 1,500 jobs from the Reality Labs division in January. Meta first laid off workers in 2022 after pandemic hiring pushed staff to 87,000; it cut 11,000 then and 10,000 more in 2023 during its "year of efficiency." By end-2023, head count fell to 67,000 before climbing again.

Meta technology chief Andrew Bosworth described a future where AI agents handle primary work, with humans directing and reviewing. Employees expressed unease on an internal board about the tracking tool, with one top comment calling it uncomfortable and asking how to opt out. A Meta spokesperson declined to comment.

Key quotes

Janelle Gale, Chief People Officer, in internal memo: “This is not an easy tradeoff and it will mean letting go of people who have made meaningful contributions to Meta during their time here.”[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/tech/meta-will-lay-off-8-000-employees-in-may-memo-ce8b97f0)

Andrew Bosworth, technology chief, in separate memo: “Our role is to direct, review and help them improve.”[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/tech/meta-will-lay-off-8-000-employees-in-may-memo-ce8b97f0)

Why it matters

Meta's cuts reflect broader tech shifts toward AI efficiency amid soaring infrastructure costs. Investors and workers face signals of leaner operations, with 8,000 jobs lost and 6,000 hires halted, potentially pressuring stock and talent markets. Watch for May 20 notifications, AI model releases, and any further layoffs or hiring plans.

What changed

Before: Meta's workforce reached 78,865 by December 2025 after prior growth. Now: Plans to cut 10%, or about 8,000 jobs, plus freeze 6,000 hires to fund AI. Announced April 23, 2026, via internal memo, with notifications May 20.

FAQ

Q: Why is Meta conducting these layoffs?

A: The internal memo states cuts are needed to operate more efficiently and offset massive investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure. Chief People Officer Janelle Gale called it a tradeoff to let go of contributors. This supports spending up to $135 billion this year on AI for 3.5 billion daily users.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/tech/meta-will-lay-off-8-000-employees-in-may-memo-ce8b97f0)

Q: When will affected Meta employees be notified?

A: Employees will be notified on May 20. The memo specifies this date for the layoffs to begin. It also cancels plans to hire for 6,000 open roles.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/tech/meta-will-lay-off-8-000-employees-in-may-memo-ce8b97f0)

Q: What recent AI efforts prompted Meta's efficiency push?

A: Meta released its first new AI model in a year, Muse Spark, earlier this month and plans more. It rolled out a tool this week tracking employee keystrokes, mouse movements, and clicks to train AI models. Technology chief Andrew Bosworth outlined a vision of AI agents doing primary work.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/tech/meta-will-lay-off-8-000-employees-in-may-memo-ce8b97f0)

Q: How does this fit Meta's layoff history?

A: This follows 1,500 cuts in January from Reality Labs, after 2022's first-ever 11,000 jobs amid ad slumps, 10,000 in 2023's efficiency year, and 3,700 or 5% in early 2025. Head count peaked at 87,000 post-pandemic, fell to 67,000 by end-2023, then rose to 78,865.[[1]](https://www.wsj.com/tech/meta-will-lay-off-8-000-employees-in-may-memo-ce8b97f0)