Meta reassigned 7,000 Facebook and Instagram employees to artificial intelligence roles and announced plans to cut about 8,000 jobs globally, the company informed staff on May 18, 2026. According to internal communications reviewed by multiple outlets, the restructuring aimed to increase efficiency and prioritize AI product development.

The reassignments involve moving 7,000 employees into newly created divisions focused on artificial intelligence tools and applications, according to an internal memo dated May 18, 2026, sent by Meta’s chief people officer, Janelle Gale. These divisions include teams working on AI-related products such as agents and apps, AI cloud infrastructure, and an internal AI agent known as Hatch, sources said. Bloomberg and The New York Times reported that the changes are part of a broader restructuring to increase investment in AI product development and workflows.

The combination of job cuts and reassignments will impact approximately 20% of Meta’s total workforce, according to multiple reports.

Alongside the reassignments, Meta plans to cut about 8,000 jobs globally, representing roughly 10% of its workforce, sources confirmed. The layoffs were scheduled to begin around May 20, 2026, with some employees already notified in certain locations, including Singapore, according to reports from GBH and other outlets. A Meta spokesperson, Erica Sackin, confirmed that affected employees had been informed of the layoffs.

The restructuring aims to improve efficiency by creating a flatter organizational structure with fewer managerial roles. Janelle Gale’s memo indicated that the new AI-focused divisions would have a reduced number of managers per employee compared to other parts of the company. Reuters and the Times of India cited sources stating that thousands of managerial positions would be eliminated as part of the reorganization. The Strait Times reported that the restructuring includes the elimination of some managerial roles and the establishment of AI-native design teams, reflecting a shift toward more streamlined workflows.

The changes follow CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s directive to make artificial intelligence a central priority for Meta. Reporting from Bloomberg and other outlets linked the restructuring to Meta’s efforts to compete in the generative AI and large language model markets. The company is reallocating resources toward AI agents, product development, and internal AI workflows, according to internal communications reviewed by multiple media organizations.

In addition to the reassignment and layoffs, some reports indicated that Meta is eliminating about 6,000 open positions, though this figure was not confirmed by all major outlets. The overall restructuring is described as a large-scale organizational reset rather than a routine round of cuts. Coverage from The Guardian and GBH noted that the company continues to adjust its AI teams following the reassignment, including allowing some engineers to leave an AI training unit.

The internal memo and subsequent reporting make clear that the restructuring is part of a broader wave of organizational changes at Meta in 2026. The company’s stated goal is to increase efficiency while accelerating AI development and product innovation. The layoffs and reassignments represent a significant shift in Meta’s workforce and operational focus as it adapts to evolving market demands and competitive pressures in the technology sector.

A jury in California found Meta Platforms Inc. and YouTube liable April 7 for creating addictive products that contributed to harmful behavior in a 20-year-old plaintiff. The verdict marked the first time major social media companies were held responsible by a U.S. jury for addictive design, according to plaintiff lawyers, who said the decision signals that accountability has arrived.

The jury’s verdict followed more than 40 hours of deliberations after a weeks-long trial in California. The case centered on K.G.M., a 20-year-old plaintiff who alleged that Meta Platforms Inc. and YouTube designed addictive products that contributed to harmful behavior.

Jurors apportioned 70% of the responsibility to Meta and 30% to YouTube, awarding K.G.M. $3 million in compensatory damages, with total damages potentially reaching $6 million including punitive awards, according to court records and statements from plaintiff lawyers.

The trial included testimony from top executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, highlighting the companies’ knowledge of the addictive nature of their platforms. Plaintiff attorneys described the verdict as a “referendum” on social media accountability. However, jurors were not unanimous in finding Meta and YouTube liable on all charges, according to trial coverage.

This case followed separate developments in New Mexico, where a jury found Meta liable for endangering children and misleading the public about platform safety. That ruling, issued April 6, ordered Meta to pay $375 million in civil penalties for exposing children to explicit content and predators. Meta announced plans to appeal that decision, with CEO Zuckerberg stating the company has been transparent about the challenges of catching all harmful content, according to Meta spokespeople and court filings.

Meta’s spokesperson Lisa Crenshaw said the company “respectfully disagrees with the verdict and is evaluating our legal options.” YouTube spokesperson José Castañeda confirmed the platform also plans to appeal the California ruling. YouTube’s parent company, Google, faces ongoing federal litigation involving more than 235 plaintiffs suing Meta, Snap, TikTok, and Google over similar claims, with trials scheduled to begin in June 2026.

The lawsuit against Meta and YouTube followed settlements with Snap and TikTok days before the trial started. These companies reached undisclosed agreements with K.G.M., according to sources familiar with the case. The jury’s decision to hold Meta and YouTube liable for addictive design marks the first time major social media firms have faced such a verdict in a U.S. court, according to plaintiff lawyers.

The next phase of the California case will determine the full amount of damages owed and whether the court will order changes to the platforms’ design to reduce addictive features. The verdict is expected to influence ongoing and future litigation involving social media companies and their responsibility for user well-being.

Federal cases involving hundreds of plaintiffs claim that Meta, Snap, TikTok, and Google created products that harm young users’ mental health. These trials, set for mid-2026, could expand the legal scrutiny on social media companies’ content moderation and design practices.

The California verdict and the New Mexico ruling together highlight a growing legal focus on social media platforms’ impact on children and teens. While the companies deny liability and plan appeals, these cases represent a shift toward holding technology firms accountable for the safety and mental health of their users, according to legal experts and advocacy groups.

As the legal battles continue, social media companies face increasing pressure from courts and regulators to address the addictive qualities of their products and the risks posed to younger audiences. The outcomes of these trials could lead to significant changes in industry practices and regulatory policies in the coming years.