Dublin: Meta Platforms has begun laying off employees across several divisions as part of a broader restructuring strategy, with cuts affecting teams including its virtual reality arm; recruitment; sales; global operations; and its flagship Facebook unit.
According to company sources, most affected employees were notified on Wednesday, while additional layoffs are expected to be communicated in the coming weeks. Some staff have been offered alternative roles within the organisation, while others have been given relocation options.
A company spokesperson stated that the layoffs across different divisions are not directly related but form part of a wider effort to reorganise teams and better align resources with strategic priorities.
Focus Shifts from VR to AI
The restructuring comes as Meta continues to reassess its investments, particularly in its Reality Labs division, which has been central to its virtual reality and metaverse ambitions. The company indicated in its latest earnings report that operating losses in Reality Labs are expected to remain in 2026 at levels similar to 2025, when the division recorded a loss of $6.02 billion on revenues of $955 million.
Meta, which employed around 79,000 people as of December—up 6% year-on-year—has increasingly shifted its focus toward artificial intelligence in recent months. The company, formerly known as Facebook before rebranding in 2021, had initially prioritised the development of the metaverse but is now directing greater investment into AI-driven tools and technologies.
Mark Zuckerberg has previously stated that artificial intelligence will significantly transform the company’s operations by 2026, underscoring the strategic importance of AI in Meta’s future growth plans.
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