Meta Layoffs 2026: 8,000 Jobs Cut as Zuckerberg Shifts Focus to AI, Middle Managers and Software Developers Face Largest Reductions

Meta has cut 8,000 jobs, with over half the reductions concentrated in California and Washington. The restructuring primarily targets middle managers and software engineers, reflecting CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s push to flatten corporate structures and prioritise AI investment. While non-AI product roles faced heavy cuts, Meta maintains these layoffs are driven by capital reallocation, not direct automation.