Andrew Bosworth, one of Meta’s top executives, revealed new measures aimed at employees following growing unrest in the artificial intelligence division. Bosworth acknowledged that internal restructurings and rapid strategy changes have created distrust within teams.
The Applied AI unit, established in March and bringing together around 6,500 engineers and product managers, was created with the goal of developing Meta’s generative AI models. However, some employees felt that the tasks assigned were mundane and low-impact, which fueled dissatisfaction.
Restructuring Led to Loss of Trust Among Employees
In a lengthy note to employees, Bosworth wrote that the company had undermined confidence in the value of certain expertise and contributions. He also noted that changes in management structure and hiring fluctuations had put some teams in difficult positions.
The unrest within Meta’s AI unit is seen as part of a broader decline in morale across the company. Recent mass layoffs, employee surveillance, and similar issues have heightened various concerns internally.
Limits on Number of Managers
Bosworth stated that the company will adopt a more personalized management approach going forward, limiting each manager to about 20 direct reports. He also said that employees will be less frequently reassigned to different managers during restructurings.
The management will also provide clearer explanations for strategy changes and organizational decisions. According to Bosworth, managers will primarily focus on team leadership and will have secondary responsibility for individual tasks.
Employees May Transition to Other Roles
In a separate note regarding the Applied AI team, it was mentioned that employees who were mandatorily assigned to this unit may apply for other roles within Meta if suitable positions become available. This aims to give employees the opportunity to choose tasks aligned with their interests.
Bosworth also expressed disagreement with the view that AI workers at Meta will be completely replaced by artificial intelligence. However, he emphasized that employees who effectively use AI tools will have an advantage and acknowledged that the transition period will be challenging.
Enhanced Office Amenities and Spending
The company plans to improve relaxation areas in offices, increase travel budgets, and allocate more resources to social events to boost morale. Bosworth said they want to create a more enjoyable work environment that encourages employees to spend more face-to-face time together.
Recently, other senior leaders at Meta have also shared internal messages acknowledging employee concerns. Bosworth stressed that the company will strive to increase transparency and reduce bottlenecks during this period of change.
