• Meta announces layoffs of 5% of its workforce (3,600 employees) to streamline operations and shift focus toward AI-driven innovation.
• The company is scrapping its third-party fact-checking program, replacing it with a user-driven “Community Notes” system.
• CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasizes raising performance standards and accelerating the removal of underperforming employees.
• Meta is eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and revising hiring practices, signaling a cultural shift.
• The changes reflect Meta’s focus on AI, free speech, and efficiency ahead of an “intense year” in 2025.

In a bold move to streamline operations and embrace emerging technologies, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, announced plans to lay off thousands of employees—approximately 5% of its workforce—while simultaneously shifting some roles to artificial intelligence (AI). The decision, outlined in an internal memo from CEO Mark Zuckerberg, comes as the company prepares for what it calls an “intense year” in 2025. The layoffs, which will target low-performing employees, are part of a broader strategy to raise performance standards and reallocate resources toward AI-driven innovation. This marks Meta’s largest workforce reduction since it cut 21,000 jobs in 2022 and 2023.

The announcement coincides with another significant policy shift: Meta is scrapping its third-party fact-checking program, which it claims had become “too politically biased.” Instead, the company will adopt a system similar to Elon Musk’s “Community Notes” on X (formerly Twitter), allowing users to provide context on controversial posts. Critics argue the move prioritizes free speech over content moderation, while supporters praise it as a return to the company’s roots.

Meta’s decision to cut 5% of its workforce—roughly 3,600 employees—is part of a broader effort to “raise the bar on performance management,” according to Zuckerberg. In his memo, he stated that the company typically manages out underperforming employees over the course of a year but will now expedite the process. Affected employees will be notified by February 10 and will receive “generous severance” packages consistent with previous layoffs.

The move comes as Meta shifts some engineering roles to AI, a technology Zuckerberg believes will play a pivotal role in the company’s future. “Meta is working on building some of the most important technologies in the world. AI, glasses as the next computing platform, and the future of social media,” he wrote. While some roles will be eliminated, Meta plans to backfill certain positions later this year, particularly in high-priority areas like AI development.

Scrapping fact-checking: A return to free speech?

In a separate but equally controversial decision, Meta announced it would end its third-party fact-checking program, which had been in place since 2016. The program, which partnered with organizations like AFP and the International Fact-Checking Network, was designed to combat misinformation by adding context to disputed claims. However, Zuckerberg argued that the program had become overly politicized and eroded trust in the platform.

“We’ve reached a point where it’s just too many mistakes and too much censorship,” Zuckerberg said in a video announcement. “It’s time to get back to our roots around free expression.” The new “Community Notes” system will rely on user-generated context, a model already in use on X.

A broader shift in company culture

Meta’s recent policy changes extend beyond layoffs and fact-checking. The company has also scrapped its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, revised its hiring practices, and removed certain content restrictions. These shifts have been interpreted by some as an effort to align more closely with conservative values, particularly in light of the upcoming U.S. presidential election.

Zuckerberg has acknowledged the influence of the political climate on these decisions, citing the 2016 election and the rise of Donald Trump as pivotal moments. “I kind of think in 2016 and the aftermath, I gave too much deference to a lot of folks in the media who were basically saying, ‘Okay, there was no way [Trump] could’ve gotten elected except for misinformation,’” he said during a recent podcast appearance.

Meta’s latest moves reflect a company in transition, grappling with the challenges of performance management, technological innovation, and political polarization. While the layoffs and AI integration signal a focus on efficiency and future growth, the decision to scrap fact-checking and DEI programs underscores a broader cultural shift. Whether these changes will strengthen Meta’s position as a tech leader or further alienate its critics remains to be seen. One thing is clear: as Zuckerberg prepares for an “intense year” in 2025, Meta is betting big on AI and free speech—and leaving no room for low performers.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

CNBC.com

CNN.com

Reuters.com