Meta, the operator of Facebook and Instagram, is moving to a large-scale workforce restructuring.
Reuters reported on the 18th (local time) that on the 20th Meta will carry out layoffs across three regions worldwide.
Layoff notices will be sent in each region starting at 4 a.m. local time. The size of the layoffs is estimated at around 8,000 people, about 10% of the total workforce of roughly 79,000 as of Dec. 31 last year. Meta instructed North American employees to work from home on the 20th, when the layoffs will take place.
Along with the layoffs, Meta will push an organizational overhaul to reassign about 7,000 employees to new artificial intelligence (AI) institutional sector. In the process, some management roles will also be reduced.
Chief people officer Janelle Gale told employees that "executives will announce an organizational overhaul along with the layoffs."
Last year Meta established the Meta Superintelligence Lab (MSL) and began in earnest to develop superintelligent AI that surpasses human capabilities. This restructuring is also seen as part of reorganizing the company's operating system around AI.
Meta is also said to be planning additional layoffs in the second half.