Meta Platforms, the tech giant behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is gearing up to issue layoff notices starting Monday at 5 AM local time. The cuts will target the lowest-performing 5 percent of employees and are labeled as ‘performance terminations.’
Unlike past layoffs, Meta’s offices will remain open, and no company-wide announcement is expected. The move is part of a broader shift in strategy as the company redirects resources towards artificial intelligence (AI) development.
Layoffs to hit multiple regions
The job reductions will be global, although certain regions, including Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands, will be spared due to labor laws.
Between February 11 and February 18, affected employees in over a dozen countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa will receive termination notices. According to Meta’s Head of People, Janelle Gale, the notifications will begin early Monday in most regions.
Despite these job losses, Meta prioritizes recruiting machine learning experts and other high-value roles. The company’s Vice President of Engineering for Monetisation, Peng Fan, revealed that the hiring process for AI-related positions will be accelerated over the next month. This highlights Meta’s ongoing commitment to expanding its AI capabilities in 2025.
The tech industry faces widespread layoffs.
Meta’s move is part of a more significant trend of job reductions across the tech sector. Major companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Stripe will also be trimming their workforces in 2025. Google has introduced a voluntary exit program within its US Platforms and Devices team, which includes Android and Pixel divisions.
Microsoft has intensified its performance-based cuts, with some employees being released without severance.
Meanwhile, Amazon has laid off approximately 200 workers in its fashion and fitness divisions, realigning priorities within its North America Stores team.
Stripe, a leading fintech firm, recently reduced its workforce by around 300 employees in its product, engineering, and operations departments. However, Stripe aims to increase its total headcount by 17 percent by the end of the year. Even Robinhood’s media arm, Sherwood, has implemented layoffs as part of a restructuring plan.
Meta’s shift towards AI
The recent layoffs reflect Meta’s evolving business strategy, which is renewedly focused on artificial intelligence. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has previously emphasized the importance of AI in the company’s long-term vision.
This shift aligns with broader industry trends, where tech companies prioritize AI innovation to stay competitive.
As Meta prepares for these cuts, the company faces the dual challenge of balancing workforce reductions with the need to attract top AI talent. The outcome of these changes will likely shape the next phase of Meta’s growth and its position in the global tech landscape.
