MENLO PARK, United States — Meta Platforms began laying off hundreds of employees on Wednesday as part of a broader internal reorganisation affecting multiple divisions, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The job reductions include staff in the company’s Reality Labs virtual reality unit, as well as teams in recruiting, sales, global operations and its Facebook social platform.
The cuts across these divisions are not connected to a single restructuring effort, the source said.
Company Response and Reorganisation
A company spokesperson said the changes were part of routine adjustments to align teams with business priorities.
“Teams across Meta regularly restructure or implement changes to ensure they’re in the best position to achieve their goals,” the spokesperson said, adding that the company would seek “other opportunities for employees whose positions may be impacted.”
While many employees were informed on Wednesday, others are expected to be notified in the coming weeks, depending on factors including location.
Some workers are being offered alternative roles within the company, while others may be asked to relocate.
Shift Toward Artificial Intelligence
The layoffs come as Meta increases its focus on artificial intelligence. Chief executive Mark Zuckerberg has indicated that advances in AI are reshaping how work is carried out within the company.
In a January post following the release of Meta’s 2025 financial results, Zuckerberg said, “We’re starting to see projects that used to require big teams now be accomplished by a single very talented person.”
Meta reported that it expects continued operating losses in its Reality Labs division in 2026, similar to the previous year. In 2025, the unit recorded an operating loss of $6.02 billion on revenue of $955 million.
Workforce and Strategy
The company employed nearly 79,000 people as of December, representing a 6 percent increase compared with the previous year.
Meta, which changed its name from Facebook in 2021 to reflect its focus on virtual reality and the so-called metaverse, has continued to reduce staffing in that division while directing more resources toward AI-related initiatives.
The company said employee compensation is expected to remain a major contributor to overall expense growth, particularly as it hires in priority areas including artificial intelligence.
