Meta Targets 20 May for 8,000 Layoffs as It Redirects Billions Toward AI Infrastructure
April 19, 2026 - 2:05 pm
In short: Meta will initiate company-wide layoffs on May 20th, aiming to cut approximately 8,000 employees, representing 10% of its 78,865-person workforce, according to sources familiar with the plans. Additional cuts are anticipated in the second half of 2026.
This round marks the first phase of a restructuring, previously suggested to potentially reach 20% of the company, though Meta has denied these reports.
The layoffs will affect teams across Reality Labs, the Facebook social division, recruiting, sales, and global operations. California WARN Act filings confirm cuts at Meta's Burlingame and Sunnyvale offices effective May 22nd and 29th respectively.
The Pattern So Far:
While January saw the closure of several VR game studios and a 30% budget cut to Reality Labs, with around 1,000-1,500 employees let go, the March cuts affected at least five divisions company-wide, with 700 positions eliminated.
The May layoffs signal a shift from targeted reductions to a full-scale restructuring focusing on AI, as Zuckerberg has eliminated approximately 25,000 positions since 2022 through several rounds of layoffs. The current round is not about performance but about reorganizing around AI infrastructure, projected to cost $115-$135 billion in 2026.