Meta Platforms Inc. is preparing to lay off nearly 1,400 employees across Washington state, affecting major tech hubs such as Seattle, Bellevue, and Redmond. The layoffs will commence on July 22 and are part of a larger effort to restructure the company’s workforce in favor of artificial intelligence initiatives. According to recent filings, Bellevue will see the most significant impact, with 699 workers losing their jobs, while 259 will be cut from Seattle, 206 from Redmond, and 231 in remote positions statewide. The layoffs will touch various roles, including software engineers and data scientists, reflecting the depth of Meta's restructuring. A spokesperson stated that the changes include layoffs, closure of open roles, and a shift of thousands of employees to critical business priorities. Meta, which had nearly 78,000 employees globally as of March, is investing heavily in AI, positioning it as central to its future strategy amid growing competition from companies like OpenAI and Microsoft.