Meta Cuts Its Artificial Intelligence Workforce

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is preparing to implement a new downsizing plan that will see about 600 employees laid off from its artificial intelligence division, according to U.S. media reports published on Thursday, October 23, 2025.

According to The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, the move will not affect the “TBD Lab”, the research unit founded by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, which has expanded rapidly in recent months after attracting several top AI researchers from rival companies such as Apple and OpenAI, thanks to highly competitive financial offers.

The same sources reported that the upcoming layoffs will target teams working on AI product development and technical infrastructure, as part of a strategy aimed at improving operational efficiency without compromising Meta’s major strategic projects in the AI field.

The New York Times also noted that the decision comes after a period of rapid hiring growth, which accompanied the establishment of the company’s artificial intelligence program.