Meta Plans First Wave of 8,000 Layoffs on May 20

The Facebook and Instagram owner will cut about 10% of its global workforce in the initial round, with more layoffs expected later this year.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 3:26pm

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A highly detailed, 3D illustration of glowing, illuminated data center hardware and infrastructure, representing the technological foundation of Meta's operations.Meta's planned AI-driven restructuring casts a vibrant, digital glow over the company's technological backbone.Menlo Park Today

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, plans to lay off around 8,000 employees, or 10% of its global workforce, in the first wave of major job cuts on May 20. The company is also planning further layoffs in the second half of the year as it seeks to streamline operations and increase efficiency through the use of artificial intelligence.

Why it matters

Meta's planned layoffs are the latest in a series of major tech industry job cuts, reflecting a broader trend of companies seeking to optimize operations and costs in the face of economic uncertainty. The move also highlights Meta's strategic shift towards AI as a key driver of its future growth and efficiency.

The details

According to Reuters, Meta will lay off about 8,000 employees, or 10% of its global workforce, in the initial round of layoffs on May 20. The company is planning further layoffs in the second half of the year, although the details of those cuts, including the date and size, are not yet settled. Executives may adjust their plans as they observe developments in artificial intelligence capabilities.

  • Meta plans to conduct the first wave of layoffs on May 20, 2026.
  • The company is planning further layoffs in the second half of 2026.

The players

Meta

The parent company of Facebook and Instagram, which is planning major job cuts as it seeks to streamline operations and increase efficiency through the use of artificial intelligence.

Mark Zuckerberg

The CEO of Meta, who is pumping hundreds of billions of dollars into AI as he seeks to dramatically reshape the company's inner workings around the technology.

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What’s next

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The takeaway

Meta's planned layoffs are part of a broader trend in the tech industry, as companies seek to optimize operations and costs in the face of economic uncertainty. The move also highlights Meta's strategic shift towards AI as a key driver of its future growth and efficiency.