# Meta is preparing a new round of layoffs, setting May 20 as the starting point for cuts that will affect roughly 8,000 employees.

*business · news · 2026-04-17 · TechStartups.com*

## Key points

- Meta will lay off about 8,000 employees starting May 20, representing 10% of its workforce.
- This is the first wave of a broader restructuring expected to continue through 2026.
- The cuts are driven by Meta's accelerated investment in AI and automation, not financial distress.
- A new 'Applied AI' group is being formed to develop autonomous code-writing and complex task systems.
- Layoff timing and scope depend on how rapidly AI can replace functions in engineering and operations.

**Companies:** Meta
**Countries:** United States

[Read the full story on TechStartups.com](https://techstartups.com/2026/04/17/meta-plans-to-lay-off-8000-staff-or-10-of-its-workforce-starting-may-20-as-ai-push-reshapes-jobs/)

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