Meta is preparing to fire 1,500 people across multiple roles from its Reality Labs division.
A move that clearly highlights a widening internal shift as the company invests more into AI and massive data centre projects.
Arno Nel, AI Product Director, at Advania, argues that those who try to cut costs by implementing AI will struggle when they realise it needs human oversight.
Nel said, AI will continue to displace jobs in 2026, but not in the dramatic “robots taking over” way people imagine. Meta’s cuts are a preview of what’s coming: companies realising they can hit the same targets with fewer people when AI handles the grunt work.
“What makes 2026 different from previous automation waves is the speed and breadth. Previous tech disrupted specific industries over decades. AI is hitting multiple sectors simultaneously over months. That’s the real challenge: not whether jobs will change, but whether people and systems can adapt fast enough.
“Companies that invest in retraining will probably win. Those that just cut costs will likely struggle when they realise AI still needs human oversight, creativity, and judgment. But let’s be honest about the transition period: it’s going to be messy for a lot of people.”
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