A frenzied push for artificial intelligence dominance comes with a different kind of cost for Meta, where massive layoffs, employee surveillance and departures have fueled reports of a heated internal climate.

As Meta spends billions annually to build out its AI capabilities, employees at Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp are increasingly unhappy with their Mark Zuckerberg-led parent company.

Meta employees have weathered frequent layoffs since early 2025, including this spring, when the company cut 10% of its workforce ¡ª some 8,000 jobs ¡ª and reshuffled another 7,000 employees.