In recent weeks, Meta employees have experienced significant uncertainty and tension. Last month, Meta announced layoffs affecting 8,000 employees, equating to 10% of its workforce, set for May 20. This move comes as the company aligns itself with the artificial intelligence era.
On the eve of this transition, workers were informed that an additional 7,000 employees would be reassigned to new A.I.-related projects. The layoff process began in Singapore at 4 a.m. local time with email notifications. Similar notices followed in Britain, the U.S., and other regions throughout Wednesday morning.
As news spread, employees communicated somberly and checked internal directories to discern which colleagues were impacted. On Meta’s internal platforms, many responded to the news with salad emojis as a gesture of salute. Notably, some recent hires were among those let go, according to insiders.
In the wake of the layoffs, Meta’s offices were largely deserted. Janelle Gale, head of human resources, had advised staff to work from home. Office walls displayed fliers petitioning against the use of employee data for A.I. training, as several employees reported. Others seized office amenities like snacks and chargers, anticipating potential job loss.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, exemplifies the wave of A.I.-driven layoffs hitting the tech industry. Companies such as Cisco, Microsoft, Block, and Coinbase have also announced job reductions, attributing these changes to shifting resources towards artificial intelligence. Tech workers now face the paradox of developing technologies threatening their employment.
An image from a Meta employee shows a flyer opposing the use of employee data for A.I. training.