Meta Implements Major Cuts in Artificial Intelligence Department: Over 600 Employees Laid Off
Meta has announced significant layoffs affecting approximately 600 employees working within its artificial intelligence divisions.
The job cuts target specialists involved in infrastructure, product development, and long-term AI research.
Meanwhile, the newly established TBD Lab, which hosts the majority of new experts recruited by the company this year through substantial investments, remains unaffected.
According to an internal memo obtained by The Wall Street Journal, Meta explained this move as a measure to improve operational efficiency, stating that reducing staff size will enable faster decision-making, assign greater responsibilities to employees, and create more room for initiative.
Alexander Van, Meta’s Chief AI Officer, confirmed that the structure of Meta Superintelligence Labs, created to advance AI development, remains intact, and the company will continue to actively recruit specialists.
Most of those laid off will have opportunities to transition into other roles within Meta, as their expertise remains valuable.
Meta has invested millions of dollars in attracting top AI researchers, including over 50 engineers from companies like OpenAI, Google, and Apple, recruited through private meetings and lucrative offers.
The company’s secretive TBD Lab, directly reporting to Mark Zuckerberg, has become a key hub in AI research.
Despite these efforts, Meta faces internal challenges, with some new hires already leaving and others demanding higher salaries or seeking transfers to more prestigious projects.
These changes come amid a strategic review following a failed launch of its Llama language model earlier this year, as Meta tries to strengthen its position against competitors such as OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic.
Meanwhile, the global community urges caution regarding the development of superintelligent systems, warning that unchecked growth could lead to profound societal upheavals.