Meta to cut jobs in AI division amid operational restructuring

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is initiating a significant reduction of its workforce, cutting roughly 600 roles within its artificial intelligence (AI) division. This move, first reported by CNBC, is part of a broader corporate effort to streamline operations and reduce management layers across the technology giant's organization.

Scope of the Workforce Reduction

The job cuts will affect employees across several key areas of Meta's AI ambitions. Impacted teams include those working on AI infrastructure, the Fundamental Artificial Intelligence Research (FAIR) unit, and various product-related roles. The decision was communicated to staff via an internal memo from Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang, who joined the company following its major $14.3 billion investment in Scale AI.

Termination Timeline and Internal Policy

According to the report, Meta began notifying affected employees on Wednesday, informing them that their employment would be officially terminated on November 21. These employees will be placed on a "non-working notice period" until that date. An internal message stated that during this period, internal access would be revoked and no further work would be required, but that employees could use the time to seek other positions within Meta.

Severance Package Details

The company outlined a severance package for departing workers, offering 16 weeks of base pay plus an additional two weeks for each completed year of service. This payment will be adjusted to account for the notice period. The layoffs reflect ongoing adjustments in the tech industry, even as companies like Meta continue to invest heavily in the development of artificial intelligence technologies.