Former Meta Employees Sue Over AI-Driven Layoffs

Twenty-six former Meta employees have filed a lawsuit in federal court in California, accusing the company of discrimination during a round of mass layoffs. They allege that Meta used artificial intelligence (AI) software to select employees for redundancy, disproportionately affecting workers with disabilities or those who had taken medical leave.

According to the lawsuit, Meta considered factors including productivity and employees' use of AI tools, measured by AI token usage, when evaluating staff. The plaintiffs argue this disadvantaged workers who were unable to perform at full capacity because of health conditions.

Meta laid off about 10% of its global workforce in May, affecting nearly 8,000 employees, and the layoffs continued in the following months.

The anonymous plaintiffs, who come from six states, including California and New York, allege that Meta violated federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination and retaliation against employees with disabilities, workers on medical leave and pregnant women.

Meta denies the allegations. A company spokesperson said people, not AI, made the layoff decisions.

(Reuters, Lud)