New Delhi
Technology giants Meta Platforms and Microsoft are reportedly cutting thousands of jobs as they restructure operations to focus on artificial intelligence (AI) investments.
Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, is expected to reduce about 10% of its workforce, impacting nearly 8,000 employees, while also leaving thousands of open roles unfilled. The restructuring is part of a broader effort to improve efficiency and redirect spending toward AI infrastructure and development.
Microsoft has also initiated voluntary buyout programmes affecting a portion of its US workforce, with estimates suggesting up to 8,750 employees could be impacted. The company is simultaneously expanding its AI-driven infrastructure, including large-scale data centre investments in countries such as Japan and Australia.
Both companies have been increasing capital expenditure sharply to support AI growth, including advanced computing systems, cloud infrastructure, and strategic partnerships. These investments are central to their long-term competition in generative AI and enterprise solutions.
The workforce reductions reflect a broader industry trend where companies are streamlining traditional roles while increasing hiring in specialised AI, machine learning, and data engineering functions. Similar restructuring efforts have also been reported at firms like KPMG, which is reducing its audit partner ranks.
Executives have described these changes as necessary to maintain agility, reduce complexity, and fund innovation in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
While AI is creating new high-skill opportunities, it is also accelerating displacement in conventional IT roles, marking a significant shift in the global tech employment landscape.