If Mark Zuckerberg Will Lay Off 10% Of His Staff, What Will AI Do To American Workers?

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On Wednesday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt) raised concerns about artificial intelligence and job security after Meta Platforms, Inc. laid off roughly 8,000 employees while accelerating its multibillion-dollar AI expansion.

Meta Layoffs Spark AI Job Loss Debate

In a post on X, Sanders criticized the company’s workforce cuts and questioned how AI could affect workers across the broader economy.

“Today, Meta is firing thousands of workers to replace them with AI,” Sanders wrote. “If Mark Zuckerberg is willing to lay off 10% of his own employees, what do you think his AI will do to the average American worker?”

Today, Meta is firing thousands of workers to replace them with AI.

If Mark Zuckerberg is willing to lay off 10% of his own employees, what do you think his AI will do to the average American worker?

— Sen. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) May 20, 2026

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The layoffs represent nearly 10% of Meta’s workforce.

The company employed more than 78,000 workers at the end of 2025 and had already announced plans to eliminate thousands of roles and close roughly 6,000 open positions as it shifts resources toward AI development and infrastructure.

Meta did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for comments.

Sanders Invites Workers To Share AI Impact Stories

As ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Sanders also called on workers affected by AI and robotics to submit personal stories through a Senate outreach form.

“I want to hear from workers whose jobs are being impacted by artificial intelligence and robotics,” Sanders said in the post.

As the Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, I want to hear from workers whose jobs are being impacted by artificial intelligence and robotics. Share your story HERE: https://t.co/FvrjRmzyke

— Sen. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) May 20, 2026

Meta Doubles Down On AI Spending

Earlier this year, Mark Zuckerberg said Meta expects to spend between $115 billion and $135 billion in 2026, with much of the investment tied to AI and data center expansion as the company competes with OpenAI, Alphabet Inc. and Anthropic.

This week, Meta also informed employees that around 7,000 workers would be reassigned to newly created AI-focused organizations.

During an April town hall, Zuckerberg acknowledged uncertainty around AI’s long-term impact. “I wish that I can tell you ⁠that I have a crystal ball plan for the next, like, three years of how all this stuff is going to play out. I don’t. I don’t think anyone does.”

Photo Courtesy: Lev Radin on Shutterstock.com

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