iWorld
Meta plans 10 per cent workforce cut amid cpush
About 8,000 roles at risk as $145 billion AI spend reshapes costs
MUMBAI: Meta is trimming people to power machines and the trade-off is getting expensive. The tech giant is preparing to lay off around 10 per cent of its workforce, impacting nearly 8,000 employees out of a total headcount of 78,000, as it ramps up spending on artificial intelligence and data centre infrastructure. The move, outlined by chief executive Mark Zuckerberg in a recent internal Q&A, reflects a broader recalibration of costs as the company doubles down on compute-heavy investments.
Zuckerberg pointed to soaring expenses in GPUs, chips and data centres as the primary drivers behind the decision, noting that increased spending in one area inevitably forces cuts in another. In this case, personnel costs are taking the hit. He also signalled a structural shift in how work is done, suggesting that advances in efficiency mean tasks once handled by large teams can now be managed by significantly smaller groups.
The changes come amid signs of internal unease. Employee sentiment has reportedly deteriorated, with data from workplace platform Blind indicating that negative posts about the company have quadrupled since 2024.
Uncertainty is likely to persist. Chief People Officer Janelle Gale has indicated that further layoffs cannot be ruled out, even as the business remains fundamentally strong. The company plans to continue reshaping teams and redeploying talent where possible, though changing priorities and competitive pressures are expected to keep cost controls tight.
Externally, Meta is also navigating macroeconomic headwinds. Zuckerberg flagged the impact of geopolitical tensions, including the US conflict with Iran, noting that rising oil prices could dampen consumer spending and, in turn, affect advertising demand still the company’s core revenue engine.
At the same time, Meta is not pulling back on ambition. The company plans to invest more than $145 billion this year, largely into AI infrastructure, while also expanding its approach to building a broader portfolio of applications rather than relying on a handful of flagship platforms.
The message is clear: as Meta races to build its AI future, it is reshaping its present, one job cut at a time.
iWorld
Spotify rolls out ‘Verified by Spotify’ badge for artists
New badge and profile details aim to boost transparency in AI-driven music era.
MUMBAI: In a world where even playlists can have imposters, Spotify is adding a badge of trust. The streaming platform has begun rolling out a new ‘Verified by Spotify’ badge, alongside expanded artist profile details, as it looks to bring greater clarity to listeners navigating an increasingly complex mix of human and AI-generated music. The badge, currently in beta, will appear on artist profiles that meet Spotify’s internal criteria for authenticity. These include consistent listener engagement, adherence to platform policies and signs of a real-world presence such as live performances, merchandise or active social media profiles. Notably, profiles representing primarily AI-generated artists will not be eligible for verification at launch.
Spotify says the verification process will combine automated systems with human review, prioritising artists with sustained audience interest over those driven by short-term spikes. The rollout will be gradual, with the badge appearing across profiles and search results over the coming weeks. The company noted that more than 99 per cent of artists users actively search for are already included in the initial phase.
Alongside the badge, Spotify is also introducing a new artist details section within profiles. Available even for non-verified artists, the feature will highlight career milestones, release activity and touring history, offering listeners a more comprehensive view of an artist’s journey and output.
The move builds on Spotify’s broader push towards transparency, complementing existing features such as SongDNA, expanded song credits and AI attribution tools. Together, these updates aim to give users more context about what they are listening to and who is behind it.
As generative AI continues to blur the lines between creator and creation, Spotify’s latest update signals a clear intent: in the streaming era, authenticity is becoming just as important as accessibility.
