Technology

Meta reportedly considering laying off up to 20% of employees, company denies making decision

KUALA LUMPUR — Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Threads, is reportedly considering laying off up to 20 per cent of its workforce, according to a report by Amanz.

However, a spokesperson for Meta described the report as “speculation”, stressing that no final decision has been made.

If implemented, the move would mark the company’s largest workforce reduction since the 2022–2023 layoffs, when more than 21,000 employees were affected, including a 13 per cent cut in 2022.

Reports indicate that the potential downsizing is linked to Meta’s rising development costs and its significant investments in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.

The company is currently expanding the use of AI to automate internal processes and improve operational efficiency.

Meta’s senior management has reportedly asked several teams to prepare cost-saving plans, although details on the scale and timeline of any possible layoffs have yet to be finalised.

At the same time, the company is actively developing new generative AI models and investing heavily in expanding its global data centre network through 2028.

Meta recently acquired Moltbook, a social AI platform, and reportedly spent about US$2 billion to acquire AI company Manus.

The investments are aimed at strengthening Meta’s long-term AI strategy amid growing competition from major technology players such as Google and OpenAI.

The trend of workforce reductions linked to AI adoption is also being seen at other global technology firms, including Amazon and Block, which have cut thousands of jobs as they shift towards automation and AI-driven efficiency.

— ASTRO AWANI

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