Meta Employee Revolt: New AI Unit Sparks Anger and Demoralization
Meta employees are in open revolt over the company's new AI unit, where thousands were transferred after layoffs. Workers complain of menial tasks and loss of control, and management's morale-boosting attempts, like a hackathon idea, have backfired.
Meta employees have openly rebelled against the company's new AI unit, called Meta Superintelligence Labs. Hundreds of workers transferred to the unit after massive layoffs express deep dissatisfaction and demoralization.
Employee protests and complaints
During an employee-only meeting for the applied AI unit, a worker interrupted the call, saying they were "being the company's bitch" and asked leaders to write to a specific Meta AI executive and "tell him he's a piece of shit." This incident reflects broader discontent.
Employees complain they now perform simple tasks like helping AI systems when they fail. "The work is not difficult, but it is meaningless. I feel I have no purpose in life," one worker said. Many were forced into the unit against their will.
Management's efforts to salvage the situation
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg proposed a hackathon to boost morale, but employees reacted negatively. "We are not a company with a hackathon culture anymore. I don't have time to play with toys; I'm stressed about my real work," one employee commented.
Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth admitted the reorganization communication was "atrocious." His proposed solutions include capping managers at 20 direct reports, limiting how often employees can switch managers, and finally "improving micro kitchens" — providing better snacks.
A deeper problem
Employees believe management is out of touch. While Meta posts record profits, workers feel their jobs are being sacrificed for AI ambitions. Employees fear they are training tools that could replace them. Meta also monitors employee laptop usage to train AI, reinforcing the feeling that everything is in service of machines.
