Meta begins laying off 10% of staff and moving 7,000 workers into AI-focused roles

Meta started layoffs on Wednesday targeting 10% of its workforce, with an additional 7,000 employees being reassigned to AI-focused positions.

The layoffs are framed as a measure to offset AI costs. Meta's stock price rose on Wednesday following the announcement.

The industry-wide shift toward AI is generating public backlash, particularly among young people entering the job market—speakers mentioning AI at US graduation ceremonies have been booed, and the backlash is described as 'all but unprecedented in its speed.'