Meta, the company that operates Instagram and Facebook, is reportedly planning to lay off 8,000 employees, the first wave of a large-scale layoff plan for 2026.

Reuters has reported that Meta, the company that operates Instagram and Facebook, plans to lay off 10% of its employees in May 2026.

Exclusive: Meta targets May 20 for first wave of layoffs; additional cuts later in 2026 | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/world/meta-targets-may-20-first-wave-layoffs-additional-cuts-later-2026-2026-04-17/

Meta plans to lay off 10% of its workforce in May, according to report – NBC Bay Area
https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/meta-layoff-thousands-of-employees-in-may/4070910/

Meta is not only focused on operating social media platforms but also on AI development. They have established Meta Superintelligence Labs , which aims to realize superintelligence, and have announced investments in AI infrastructure worth hundreds of billions of dollars (tens of trillions of yen), demonstrating their commitment to investing in AI-related businesses.

Meta announces multi-hundreds-billion dollar investment in AI infrastructure to realize superintelligence, with plans to launch the multi-gigawatt AI factory 'Prometheus' in 2026 and the 5-gigawatt 'Hyperion' a few years later - GIGAZINE

On the other hand, it was reported in March 2026 that the company was planning to cut up to 20% of its workforce in light of the increasing costs of AI investment and the increased operational efficiency provided by AI. Subsequently, on March 25, 2026, it was reported that the company had begun laying off hundreds of employees .

Meta plans to lay off up to 20% of its employees due to rising AI costs - GIGAZINE

According to a Reuters report on April 18, 2026, three sources familiar with the matter said that 'Meta will begin the first wave of its large-scale layoff plan in May 2026, with further reductions to follow.' It is estimated that approximately 8,000 people, or 10% of the company's total workforce, will be laid off in May.

Three sources reportedly stated that 'Meta is planning further layoffs in the second half of 2026, but the timing and scale have not yet been decided,' and that 'management will adjust the plan while monitoring improvements in AI capabilities.'

In addition to social media and AI, Meta is also focusing on developing the metaverse. However, Scott Budman, who is in charge of business and technology at NBC, points out, 'The metaverse will not be very successful and will end in failure. Meta has invested billions of dollars in the metaverse, but it has not been successful. The people hired for the metaverse will likely lose their jobs unless they move to modern fields such as AI.'