Meta set to cut hundreds of jobs from metaverse unit

Meta is preparing to lay off hundreds of employees from its Reality Labs division this week, with cuts focused on metaverse-related roles.

The New York Times reported that around 10 percent of Reality Labs staff are expected to be affected.

The job losses come as Meta redirects resources towards artificial intelligence, reducing emphasis on virtual reality projects.

Meta chief technology officer Andrew Bosworth, who oversees Reality Labs, reportedly called an in-person staff meeting described as the most important of the year.

Reality Labs employs about 15,000 people, making the expected cuts significant for the division.

Bloomberg previously reported that Meta planned to reduce its metaverse budget by roughly 30 percent.

The layoffs follow growing attention on Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, which have outshone its VR headsets.

The metaverse has struggled to gain widespread adoption, with some users viewing Meta’s VR social platforms as stagnant.