Meta is laying off approximately 600 employees from its artificial intelligence unit to streamline operations and reduce redundancy. The cuts primarily affect the AI infrastructure and research teams, while key personnel in the new Superintelligence Labs remain unaffected. CEO Mark Zuckerberg's dissatisfaction with AI progress and the recent lukewarm response to the Llama 4 models have prompted these measures as the company intensifies its AI investments amid competition from rivals like OpenAI and Google.

Meta Platforms is cutting approximately 600 jobs from its AI division, impacting teams involved in AI products and research. However, the new TBD Lab unit, which focuses on high-profile AI projects, will not be affected by these layoffs, and the company aims to continue hiring AI talent.

Meta is facing scrutiny over its AI research following recent layoffs, raising concerns about the company's commitment to developing ethical superintelligence. The article discusses the implications of these changes on the future of AI and the challenges Meta faces in maintaining its position in the competitive tech landscape.

Meta is directing managers to increase the number of employees rated as "below expectations" in their midyear performance reviews, aiming for 15% to 20% of large teams to fall into this category. This follows CEO Mark Zuckerberg's push to expedite the removal of low performers, with the midyear reviews seen as an opportunity for potential job cuts. The process is set to start on June 16, with discussions occurring from July to August.