Meta Platforms is implementing a significant workforce overhaul that will affect nearly 1,400 employees in Washington state as part of its broader investment in artificial intelligence. The company plans to initiate terminations across its Seattle, Bellevue, and Redmond offices, as well as for remote workers, beginning on July 22.
According to filings submitted to the Washington State Employment Security Department, the largest impact will be in Bellevue, where 699 employees have been identified for layoff. Two Seattle locations will see 259 positions cut, 206 in Redmond, and 231 remote workers across the state.
The layoffs span a diverse array of roles, including software engineering, data science, content design, and information technology, reflecting Meta’s comprehensive realignment toward AI-centric initiatives.
Meta’s spokesperson noted that the changes will vary by team, encompassing layoffs, role closures, and the reassignment of thousands of employees to “business critical priorities” across the organization.
With the company’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasizing artificial intelligence as a central pillar of Meta’s future strategy, these cuts come as Meta increases spending on data centers, advanced chips, and internal AI tools to remain competitive against rivals such as OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google.
Meta employed close to 78,000 workers worldwide at the end of March, according to recent securities filings. Affected employees received notice on May 20 and will continue to receive pay and benefits through their termination dates, as confirmed by Meta’s Chief People Officer Janelle Gale.
In this illustration, the icons for Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus VR are displayed on a smartphone screen against a Meta logo backdrop. (Photo illustration by Onur Dogman/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Meta is advancing substantial investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure, positioning itself among Silicon Valley’s largest AI spenders. (Getty Images)
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms, was photographed speaking at the Meta Connect event in Menlo Park, California, on September 17, 2025. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)