Meta to Commence Sweeping Layoffs on May 20: A Strategic Shift Toward AI-Driven Efficiency Meta , the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is preparing for a major workforce reduction. Sources familiar with the matter have confirmed to Reuters that the company intends to initiate a first wave of layoffs on May 20, 2026 , impacting approximately 10% of its global workforce , or roughly 8,000 employees . A Year of Unprecedented Restructuring This upcoming move is part of a broader, more aggressive restructuring plan for 2026. Reports indicate that Meta is considering further workforce reductions in the second half of the year, with total cuts potentially reaching 20% of its global staff . If finalized, this would mark the most significant downsizing for the company since the 2022–2023 "Year of Efficiency," during which Meta eliminated over 21,000 positions. The AI Catalyst While Meta has not officially disclosed the specific reasoning behind these cuts, the transition is ...