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Judge rejects bid to halt Meta layoffs tied to AI tools
Meta’s job cuts begin July 22, with the court saying workers did not show the emergency standard of irreparable harm while claims move to private arbitration.
A U.S. judge rejected a request by 26 Meta Platforms employees to block the company from carrying out planned layoffs while they pursue claims that they were targeted for cuts using the firm’s AI-powered tools, according to Reuters. In a written order, U.S. District Judge William Orrick said he would not stop the layoffs starting July 22 as the workers’ legal claims proceed in private arbitration. Orrick said the employees did not demonstrate the irreparable harm required for an emergency injunction. Meta notified nearly 8,000 employees, about 10% of its global workforce, in May that they would be laid off as the company increases its AI investments. The lawsuit filed on Monday alleges that AI tools used to select layoffs measured productivity and AI token usage in a way that disadvantaged workers who missed time due to medical conditions or family caregiving.
The plaintiffs also allege Meta relied partly on performance reviews connected to employees’ adoption of AI. Reuters reports Meta has denied wrongdoing, saying layoff decisions were made by humans, and the workers’ motion for a preliminary injunction is pending, with Orrick indicating he is likely to rule next month.