Meta is set to reduce around 5% of its workforce, concentrating specifically on the lowest-performing staff.

A representative from Meta confirmed this update via an email to YSL News on Wednesday, following an initial report from Bloomberg based on an internal memo.

In the memo, which was also shared with CNBC, CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated that he intends to “raise the standards” for performance evaluations and “swiftly remove low performers.”

“Usually, we manage out individuals who fail to meet expectations over the course of a year; however, we will now implement more significant performance-based reductions during this round, with plans to fill these positions again in 2025,” Zuckerberg mentioned in the memo.

Zuckerberg noted that 2025 will be a demanding year, emphasizing his desire to ensure the company has “the most capable individuals on our top teams.”

According to the memo, employees affected by these changes will be informed on February 10 or later, particularly for those based outside the United States. The company employs over 72,000 workers as per its latest quarterly report.

Numerous tech firms, such as Cisco and IBM, have been shifting their investments toward artificial intelligence technologies, as reported by Reuters. Meta has also invested billions into AI-related infrastructure, with expectations of rising expenses this year.

In 2022, the social media giant began implementing various restructuring measures that resulted in approximately 11,000 job reductions, followed by around 10,000 positions cut in 2023, according to Reuters.

These layoffs follow the company’s decision to discontinue its U.S. fact-checking initiative last week and to ease restrictions on conversations about sensitive subjects like immigration and gender identity.

Contributing: Jasprett Singh, Reuters