Meta has implemented a staff cut that affects about 600 positions related to artificial intelligence, a move with which the company seeks to accelerate decisions and reduce internal bureaucracy. The measure, part of the reorganization of Superintelligence Labs, pursues more compact teams, with fewer hierarchical layers and greater individual responsibility.
Internal sources and media such as Axios and CNBC They point out that the cuts impact on infrastructure areas, research and product functions, while the newly created TBD Labs is not affected and will continue to attract high-level talent. The company emphasizes that the intention is to optimize the structure and concentrate efforts on projects with greater impact.
What's changing in the AI ​​organization
Meta concentrates its R&D under Superintelligence Labs, with the Chief AI Officer, Alexander Wang, leading and supported by high-profile ecosystem members. The goal is to eliminate redundancies, streamline technical governance, and reduce the group's size to environments close to 3.000 people, facilitating faster execution.
According to internal memos cited by the press, the affected teams include AI infrastructure, basic research of FAIR and functions associated with product development. The company argues that with fewer interlocutors, decisions will be made more quickly and that Each engineer will gain autonomy and impact.
- AI infrastructure and platforms.
- Fundamental Research (FAIR).
- AI teams linked to product functionalities.
In parallel, TBD Labs —a focus of strategic hiring and cutting-edge models— remains untouched by the cuts. This group, which has incorporated profiles such as researcher Ananya Kumar Signed from OpenAI, she will continue to promote lines of work considered critical for the future of Meta.
Conditions for staffing and relocation
The affected employees have received formal communication and will have Exit packages that include a fixed portion plus additional weeks for seniority, according to internal documents cited by the media. The company has enabled routes of internal mobility so that those who wish to do so can apply for vacancies available in other areas.
During the notice period, Meta will withdraw access to internal systems and will not require operational tasks, encouraging professionals to explore alternative positions within the organization. The company emphasizes that the restructuring is a strategic realignment, not an abandonment of its commitment to AI.
Strategy, competition and investments
Management links this adjustment with the push for a "small teams, quick decisions" work model, which deepens the so-called year of efficiency started after more than 21.000 cuts from 2023The priority now is to accelerate the integration of their models into consumer products and creator tools.
In products, Meta focuses on chatbots and assistants on WhatsApp, Messenger and Threads, as well as AI-powered creative features on Facebook and Instagram. The goal is to turn their research into tangible improvements for the end user and sustainable monetization levers in a very competitive environment.
In the field of models, the lukewarm reception of llama 4 has pushed to strengthen technical management and accelerate delivery cycles. The incorporation of new leadership seeks agility in the roadmap and a greater concentration of resources in differential capabilities.
The strategy is supported by large investments in infrastructure, including the data center Hyperion in Louisiana, valued at around 27.000 million and designed to scale to several gigawatts. This deployment will be key to train large models and sustain the demand for calculation in the coming years.
Impact on market and Europe
After the cuts were announced, Meta's shares fell by around 1,8% in the premarket, in a context of technological volatility due to the earnings season. Analysts anticipate that the consolidation of teams and the elimination of overlaps could improve margins in the medium term.
Despite the cuts, Meta insists it will continue hiring in key areas such as Machine learning, data science, and AI securityIn Europe, local partners and teams are closely monitoring the evolution of this global reorganization and how it will product priorities land in each market.
Meta's repositioning —with 600 exits in its AI area, reorganization under Superintelligence Labs and continuity of TBD Labs— pursues Reduce friction, accelerate delivery and concentrate investment in what it has the best traction for. If the company achieves this balance between speed, focus, and cost control, its AI strategy could gain momentum in both product development and deployment in the coming quarters.
