Meta, the social media giant behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is laying off 5% of its workforce, affecting around 4,000 employees by the end of February.
The company’s US staff received notifications today, with additional cuts expected across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
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The layoffs come as Meta looks to boost productivity amid the broader shift toward AI, focusing on replacing low-performing workers with roles in machine learning and other key areas.
Restructures Workforce Amid AI Shift
The cuts come as Meta, which had about 74,067 full-time employees at the start of 2025, aims to boost productivity amid the broader shift toward AI technology.
Reportedly, Meta is laying off low-performing employees but plans to replace them, particularly with machine learning engineers and for other key roles.
In January, Meta drew global attention after implementing significant changes to its content moderation policies, ending third-party fact-checking and replacing it with community notes.
Tech and Crypto Layoffs Continue
The growing impact of artificial intelligence has forced many tech companies to reassess their strategies and adjust their workforce.
In early 2025, Microsoft announced layoffs to optimize operations, while Intel revealed plans to cut 15,000 jobs, or 10% of its workforce, to focus on AI chip development. IBM, Dell, and Cisco also made significant cuts to invest in AI.
The trend has extended to the crypto sector as well. Messari, a crypto analytics firm, laid off 15% of its workforce in January as part of a restructuring.
Last year, Kraken, Axie Infinity developer Sky Mavis, and stablecoin issuer Paxos also reduced their staff, citing organizational changes.
On the Flipside
- While layoffs dominate the news, AI-focused startups and companies in cybersecurity and blockchain are ramping up hiring to fill critical roles.
Why This Matters
These layoffs reflect the ongoing shift in the tech and crypto industries as companies adapt to rapidly evolving technologies like AI, balancing cost-cutting measures with investments in future growth.
