Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is poised to initiate a series of layoffs starting February 11, 2025, as part of a broader strategy to reorient its workforce toward artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. The layoffs, expected to impact over 3,000 employees, are a response to ongoing company-wide efforts to optimize performance and meet the shifting demands of the tech industry.
Notification of Layoffs Across Multiple Countries
Meta’s employee base in more than a dozen countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa will be directly affected by these layoffs. Employees in these regions will be informed of their status between February 11 and February 18. A memo from Janelle Gale, Meta’s head of people, revealed that notifications to workers, including those in the United States, were expected to be sent out by 5 a.m. local time on February 12.
However, workers in several European countries, such as Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands, will be exempt from the layoffs due to local labor regulations that provide stronger protections for workers. These regulations ensure that the company cannot proceed with such layoffs in these regions without meeting specific legal requirements.
Meta’s Strategy to Address Underperformance
In its latest restructuring efforts, Meta is focusing on improving performance across the company. The layoffs are part of an initiative to remove what the company terms its “lowest performers.” Meta has confirmed plans to cut around five percent of its workforce, focusing on employees who are deemed to be underperforming.
According to a separate memo, Gale described these layoffs as “performance terminations,” emphasizing that the company is aiming to “raise the bar on performance” by quickly addressing underperformance. CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged that the layoffs would contribute to the company’s broader strategy of efficiency and profitability.
Zuckerberg has previously warned that Meta’s financial and operational outlook for 2024 and 2025 would be challenging. The company has been under increasing pressure to maintain growth while navigating a rapidly evolving tech landscape. Despite significant investments in new ventures, such as the metaverse, Meta is seeking ways to optimize its workforce and ensure its resources are aligned with its most critical business needs.
Pressure to Prioritize AI and Machine Learning Talent
Alongside these performance-based cuts, Meta has also been ramping up its efforts to hire talent in the field of AI and machine learning. In a separate communication, Peng Fan, VP of Engineering for Monetization at Meta, urged employees to support an accelerated hiring process.
This hiring push is primarily focused on machine learning engineers and other key positions deemed critical for the company’s growth in AI and related fields. The timeline for this hiring initiative spans from February 11 to March 13, 2025. The focus on AI reflects Meta’s evolving priorities, as the company seeks to leverage cutting-edge technologies to maintain its competitive edge in the tech industry.
Meta’s commitment to AI and machine learning is becoming increasingly clear, with the company doubling down on these areas despite the current financial challenges. While Meta continues to invest heavily in the development of the metaverse, AI has emerged as a central pillar of its long-term vision. The shift toward AI talent is indicative of broader industry trends, where AI expertise has become one of the most sought-after skill sets across tech companies globally.
Meta’s Ongoing Focus on Efficiency
While the layoffs mark a significant change for the company, Meta is not halting its operations in the process. In a departure from previous rounds of mass layoffs, the company will keep its offices open on Monday, February 12, and will not provide any further updates regarding the layoffs during that day.
This approach signals a desire for business continuity even amid a difficult restructuring phase. The focus will likely remain on ensuring that remaining employees remain productive and aligned with the company’s strategic goals, particularly in AI and other business-critical engineering functions.
As Meta navigates these changes, the company faces the challenge of balancing its aggressive expansion in the metaverse with the immediate need for greater operational efficiency and profitability. The layoffs and the shift to AI hiring reflect this delicate balancing act, where Meta is investing in the future while making tough decisions in the present to remain agile and competitive.
Conclusion: Meta’s Response to Industry Challenges
Meta’s decision to lay off over 3,000 employees highlights the growing pressure on tech giants to streamline operations while focusing on the future. The company’s shift towards AI and machine learning represents a recognition of the increasing importance of these technologies in shaping the future of the tech industry.
As Meta moves forward with its restructuring, the company will need to carefully manage its investments and workforce to ensure that it remains at the forefront of technological innovation, despite the challenges it faces in the coming years.
