Employee sentiment at Meta appears to be under strain following recent workforce reductions and the company’s intensified focus on artificial intelligence (AI). Internal discussions reportedly reveal growing frustration among employees who are managing increased workloads after a major round of job cuts.
Last month, the social-media giant reduced its workforce by around 8,000 employees, representing nearly 10 per cent of its staff. The move was part of Meta’s broader effort to channel resources toward AI development and strengthen its position in the rapidly-evolving technology landscape.
However, employees who remain with the company are reportedly facing mounting pressure. Along with their existing responsibilities, many teams have been assigned tasks linked to training and improving AI models. According to reports, these additional requirements have added to concerns around workload and team capacity.
The situation came into sharper focus after CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced plans for a company-wide AI hackathon scheduled for July. While Meta has traditionally used hackathons to encourage innovation and collaboration, the proposal reportedly received a muted response from employees.
Internal conversations suggest that many workers feel stretched by increased responsibilities following the layoffs. Some employees questioned whether they had the time or resources to participate in voluntary innovation initiatives while also managing day-to-day operations and covering responsibilities previously handled by departed colleagues.
The announcement also included plans to provide employees with permanent desks, replacing the hot-desking arrangements used in several offices. While intended as a workplace improvement, the move reportedly failed to generate significant enthusiasm among staff amid broader concerns about job security and workload.
The developments come as Meta continues to invest heavily in AI. Despite the company’s ambitions, it faces stiff competition from rivals that have moved quickly to launch advanced AI products and services. Reports indicate that company leadership has acknowledged ongoing challenges associated with the transformation and the possibility of further operational hurdles as Meta continues its AI-driven restructuring efforts.
