TLDR
- Meta is cutting approximately 600 positions from its Superintelligence Labs AI unit to make operations more flexible and streamline decision-making
- Job cuts affect Facebook Artificial Intelligence Research (FAIR), AI infrastructure teams, and product-related AI positions
- The newly formed TBD Lab with several dozen researchers developing next-generation AI models will not be affected
- Meta struck a $27 billion financing deal with Blue Owl Capital on Tuesday to fund its largest data center project
- The layoffs come after Meta reorganized its AI efforts in June following poor reception of its Llama 4 model and senior staff departures
Meta announced Wednesday it will eliminate around 600 positions from its Superintelligence Labs artificial intelligence unit. The company said the cuts aim to make the division more flexible and responsive.
The layoffs will impact several teams across the AI organization. Workers in the Facebook Artificial Intelligence Research unit will lose their jobs. Teams focused on AI infrastructure and product-related AI positions will also face cuts.
Meta formed Superintelligence Labs in June after its Llama 4 open-source model received a poor reception. The reorganization also followed several senior staff departures. CEO Mark Zuckerberg personally led an aggressive hiring campaign to rebuild the unit.
The newly created TBD Lab will avoid the cuts entirely. This small team of several dozen researchers and engineers focuses on developing Meta’s next-generation foundation models. The lab represents a protected area within the broader AI division.
Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang explained the reasoning behind the layoffs in a memo to staff. He said fewer team members would speed up decision-making processes. Wang also stated that remaining employees would see increased responsibility and broader impact in their roles.
Severance and Transition Period
Meta notified affected employees that November 21 marks their termination date. Until then, workers enter a non-working notice period. The company removed internal access for these employees immediately.
Meta is offering 16 weeks of severance pay to laid-off workers. Employees receive an additional two weeks for every completed year of service. The company subtracted the notice period from this total.
The affected staff can apply for other positions within Meta. The company encouraged employees to use their notice period for internal job searches. This policy offers some workers a chance to remain at the company.
Recent AI Investments
Meta signed a $27 billion financing agreement with Blue Owl Capital on Tuesday. The deal represents the company’s largest private capital arrangement ever. Funds will support Meta’s biggest data center project in rural Louisiana.
The Hyperion data center will cover an area comparable to a large portion of Manhattan. Zuckerberg announced plans for the facility in July. Analysts said the Blue Owl deal shifts upfront costs to external capital while Meta retains partial ownership.
Meta has invested in artificial intelligence since 2013 when it launched the FAIR unit. The company recruited Yann LeCun as chief AI scientist to lead early efforts. This work built a global research network focused on deep learning.
The company expects total expenses for 2025 between $114 billion and $118 billion. Meta raised the low end of this range during its second-quarter earnings call in July. AI initiatives will push 2026 expense growth above 2025 levels.
Meta will report third-quarter results next week. The company continues competing with rivals like OpenAI and Google in the AI space. Wang joined Meta in June as part of a $14.3 billion investment in Scale AI.
Get 3 Free Stock Ebooks
Discover top-performing stocks in AI, Crypto, and Technology with expert analysis.
- Top 10 AI Stocks - Leading AI companies
- Top 10 Crypto Stocks - Blockchain leaders
- Top 10 Tech Stocks - Tech giants
