Meta is cutting 8,000 jobs through widespread global layoffs

Meta cancels hiring plans for 6,000 positions amid ongoing layoffs and pivot to artificial intelligence development.

Meta has initiated a wave of layoffs that will affect 10 percent of the company’s global workforce, or about 8,000 people.

The cuts began on Wednesday and will come in three waves, starting at 4 a.m. local time for those affected, Reuters news agency reported.

According to a report from Business Insider, employees affected so far include employees of the company’s integrity team – the group responsible for removing malicious content and hate speech – as well as members of the company’s cybersecurity teams and content design department.

Workers in the United States will receive 16 weeks of severance pay, in addition to two additional weeks for each year they are employed by the company, Meta representatives confirmed to Al Jazeera.

In addition to the cuts…