Archive · 13 Jan 2026
Meta to Cut 1,500 Reality Labs Jobs
Meta, the company that owns Facebook, is planning to cut about 1,500 jobs in its Reality Labs division.
This division works on virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) products like VR headsets, smart glasses, and the metaverse.
The company has been spending a lot of money on the metaverse, but it hasn't been as successful as hoped.
Now, Meta is focusing more on artificial intelligence (AI) and building big data centers.
The job cuts are expected to be announced soon, and there will be a big meeting for all employees on Wednesday.
The company's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, says that investing in AI and data centers is important for the future.
Meta plans to cut 1,500 jobs, about 10% of the Reality Labs division's workforce.
Reality Labs oversees VR and AR products, including VR headsets, Ray-Ban smart glasses, and the Horizon Worlds platform.
The metaverse project has faced budget reductions and mounting uncertainty.
Meta is significantly expanding investment in AI infrastructure and data centers.
Meta's CTO, Andrew Bosworth, has called a meeting for Wednesday to discuss the changes.
- Who
- Meta (Facebook-parent)
- What
- Job cuts in Reality Labs division
- When
- As soon as Tuesday, meeting on Wednesday
- Where
- Reality Labs division, Meta
- Why
- Shift in focus towards AI and data centers, struggles with metaverse
Focus on AI and Data Centers
Metaverse and VR Development
Resource Allocation
Focus on AI and Data Centers
Meta is significantly expanding investment in AI infrastructure and data centers, indicating a shift in focus away from the metaverse.
Metaverse and VR Development
Reality Labs continues to oversee VR and AR hardware and software, including the metaverse-focused Horizon Worlds platform.
Future Direction
Focus on AI and Data Centers
The company is prioritizing AI and data centers as strategic advantages, suggesting a long-term commitment to these areas.
Metaverse and VR Development
Despite budget reductions, Meta has not abandoned metaverse efforts, indicating a continued but reduced investment in VR and AR technologies.
- Division Affected
- Reality Labs
- Number of Jobs Cut
- 1,500
- Percentage of Jobs Cut
- 10%
- Total Employees in Reality Labs
- 15,000
- Key Products
- VR headsets, Ray-Ban smart glasses, Horizon Worlds
- CEO
- Mark Zuckerberg
- CTO Overseeing Reality Labs
- Andrew Bosworth
- Meeting Date
- Wednesday
- New Leadership Addition
- Dina Powell McCormick
- AI Compute Capacity Goal
- Tens of gigawatts by the end of the decade
Sources
Meta Plans To Cut Around 10% Of Jobs In Reality Labs Division: Report
Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta To Lay Off Hundreds Of Metaverse Employees This Week, Here Is Why
Meta plans to cut around 10% of employees in Reality Labs division: Report
Layoffs news: Meta, BlackRock, Citigroup to fire hundreds of employees — and it's just the first month of 2026
Meta Plans to Cut 10% of Jobs at Company’s Reality Labs Division
BlackRock cuts 1% jobs: Why the world’s largest asset manager is firing hundreds now
Meta to slash 15,000 roles this week amid fresh round of layoffs – Firstpost
Meta plans 1,500 job cuts as focus towards AI and data centres surges
Facebook parent Meta plans 1,500 job cuts, CTO calls critical all-hands meeting: Report
