Meta To Cut 10% Of Metaverse Team As It Shifts Focus To AI

Meta is said to be laying off around 10% of staff from its metaverse division this week, as the tech giant focuses its resources on artificial intelligence.

The New York Times reported on Monday, citing sources, that Meta’s Reality Labs has around 15,000 staff members. The division focuses on virtual reality gear such as headsets. It also operates the firm’s metaverse platforms – Horizon Worlds and Horizon Workrooms.

Around 10% of the division’s human resources, around 1,500 people are expected to be laid off.

Meta has declined to comment on this move.

Notably, Meta has been making gradual cuts to its metaverse budget over the past year as the firm ramped up its focus on artificial intelligence.

In early December, Meta’s shares spiked after reports emerged that the firm was potentially slashing 30% from its metaverse budget and reallocating the funds to AI.

The NYT report also states that Meta plans to reallocate some of its money from Reality Labs to increase the budget of its wearables division, which focuses on smart glasses and wrist-worn devices such as the Meta Neural Band.

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