Meta has cut 8,000 employees in May 2026, sending layoff notices at 4 AM globally across three waves. CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly told remaining staff no further company-wide layoffs are expected this year, though many employees remain skeptical. The cuts continue Meta's pattern of workforce reductions.

The company's AI ambitions appear to be driving these changes, despite posting a 33% revenue increase to $56.31 billion in Q1 2026. Spending reached $33 billion during that quarter, with analysts noting Meta's AI push comes at a significant cost to near-term profitability. The company plans to restructure 7,000 workers into AI-focused positions.

Employee morale remains low, reflecting years of cuts. Late 2024 saw layoffs to "align with goals," while 2023 brought 10,000 cuts during the "Year of Efficiency" and 2022 eliminated 11,000 positions. Meta's Reality Labs also cut 1,500 employees earlier this year, with workers increasingly vocal about dissatisfaction.