From AI Zuckerberg to tracking employee PCs, Meta ramps up AI training before layoffs
Meta is implementing new measures to track employee mouse movements and keystrokes to train AI. This move comes at a time when the Mark Zuckerberg-led firm is rumoured to be planning to layoff as many as 15,000 employees. Here are all the details.
Meta wants to know how each of its employees is using their mouse and keyboard in an effort to train AI. The company has reportedly informed its US workforce that it will be installing tracking software that will track how they use their computers. This move comes amid reports of Meta potentially planning to lay off almost 20 per cent of its global workforce.
Meanwhile, the company is also pushing for more AI agents within the organisation. With even an AI clone of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg having been made. Here is everything you need to know.
Point 1: Meta to track employee mouse movements, keystrokes
As per a report from Reuters, Meta has informed US employees in an internal memo that it will be using a tracking software to monitor mouse movements, clicks, and keystrokes. The tracking tool, referred to as the Model Capability Initiative (MCI), will operate on work-related applications and websites.
According to the report, this software will also occasionally capture screenshots of employees' screens.
While the company has informed US employees as per the report, it is unclear if it will implement similar measures in other regions, including India.
Point 2: Tracking employees to train AI
In the memo sent to employees, Meta states that the data from the tracking software will be used to train its AI models, as part of the company’s broader efforts to develop AI agents capable of autonomously performing work tasks.
The report states that Meta wants to use this data to improve AI models in areas where they currently struggle to replicate human-computer interactions, such as selecting options from dropdown menus and using keyboard shortcuts.
In a separate memo, Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth explained that the company would intensify internal data collection as part of its 'AI for Work' efforts. He said, “The vision we are building towards is one where our agents primarily do the work and our role is to direct, review and help them improve.” He added that this data will allow AI agents to "automatically see where we felt the need to intervene so they can be better next time.”
Do note that Meta spokesperson Andy Stone has confirmed that data gathered through MCI would be exclusively used for model training and not for performance assessments or other purposes.
Point 3: Meta may layoff 8,000 workers next month, more likely to follow
Meta’s decision to monitor employee movements to train AI comes at a time when the company is rumoured to be planning a massive round of layoffs that could impact as much as 20 per cent of its global workforce, accounting for over 15,000 workers. As per reports, the Mark Zuckerberg-led firm may cut 8,000 jobs on May 20, 2026.
A second round of layoffs that reduces a similar number of jobs is expected to follow shortly afterwards.
Meta is investing heavily in AI, with the aim of creating a leaner organisation with fewer management layers and more AI-assisted work. Previously, Mark Zuckerberg has stated that with more AI-driven work, the company could reduce its headcount. He said at the time, "We will get to a point where all the code in our apps and the AI it generates will also be written by AI engineers instead of people engineers.”
Point 4: Mark Zuckerberg has his own AI clone
Mark Zuckerberg himself is believed to be going all-in on AI at Meta. Previous reports indicate that the Meta chief now has his own AI CEO that helps him do his work. This has raised fears that in the future even the job of a CEO may not be safe from potentially being replaced by AI.
Recent reports indicate that this AI clone of Zuckerberg is being trained to speak and behave like him, essentially becoming an AI avatar of the Meta boss, with whom employees can interact.
Rumours also indicate that Mark Zuckerberg is now spending more time using AI to code.
Point 5: Meta’s new AI models, focus on AI agents
Meta recently launched its latest AI model, Muse Spark. This is the company’s first model that was developed by the Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL), led by Alexandr Wang. The company also changed the logo for Meta AI with this release.
Alexandr Wang, who was appointed as the chief of MSL after a $14.5 billion takeover of Scale AI, has teased that more AI models of the Muse family will be launched soon.
Additionally, Meta is also doubling down on AI agents. The company previously acquired Moltbook, the AI social media platform that went viral after bots declared the need for an AI takeover. With Moltbook creator Peter Steinberger joining Meta. The company also acquired Manus AI to bolster its agentic development plans.
Meta wants to know how each of its employees is using their mouse and keyboard in an effort to train AI. The company has reportedly informed its US workforce that it will be installing tracking software that will track how they use their computers. This move comes amid reports of Meta potentially planning to lay off almost 20 per cent of its global workforce.
Meanwhile, the company is also pushing for more AI agents within the organisation. With even an AI clone of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg having been made. Here is everything you need to know.
Point 1: Meta to track employee mouse movements, keystrokes
As per a report from Reuters, Meta has informed US employees in an internal memo that it will be using a tracking software to monitor mouse movements, clicks, and keystrokes. The tracking tool, referred to as the Model Capability Initiative (MCI), will operate on work-related applications and websites.
According to the report, this software will also occasionally capture screenshots of employees' screens.
While the company has informed US employees as per the report, it is unclear if it will implement similar measures in other regions, including India.
Point 2: Tracking employees to train AI
In the memo sent to employees, Meta states that the data from the tracking software will be used to train its AI models, as part of the company’s broader efforts to develop AI agents capable of autonomously performing work tasks.
The report states that Meta wants to use this data to improve AI models in areas where they currently struggle to replicate human-computer interactions, such as selecting options from dropdown menus and using keyboard shortcuts.
In a separate memo, Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth explained that the company would intensify internal data collection as part of its 'AI for Work' efforts. He said, “The vision we are building towards is one where our agents primarily do the work and our role is to direct, review and help them improve.” He added that this data will allow AI agents to "automatically see where we felt the need to intervene so they can be better next time.”
Do note that Meta spokesperson Andy Stone has confirmed that data gathered through MCI would be exclusively used for model training and not for performance assessments or other purposes.
Point 3: Meta may layoff 8,000 workers next month, more likely to follow
Meta’s decision to monitor employee movements to train AI comes at a time when the company is rumoured to be planning a massive round of layoffs that could impact as much as 20 per cent of its global workforce, accounting for over 15,000 workers. As per reports, the Mark Zuckerberg-led firm may cut 8,000 jobs on May 20, 2026.
A second round of layoffs that reduces a similar number of jobs is expected to follow shortly afterwards.
Meta is investing heavily in AI, with the aim of creating a leaner organisation with fewer management layers and more AI-assisted work. Previously, Mark Zuckerberg has stated that with more AI-driven work, the company could reduce its headcount. He said at the time, "We will get to a point where all the code in our apps and the AI it generates will also be written by AI engineers instead of people engineers.”
Point 4: Mark Zuckerberg has his own AI clone
Mark Zuckerberg himself is believed to be going all-in on AI at Meta. Previous reports indicate that the Meta chief now has his own AI CEO that helps him do his work. This has raised fears that in the future even the job of a CEO may not be safe from potentially being replaced by AI.
Recent reports indicate that this AI clone of Zuckerberg is being trained to speak and behave like him, essentially becoming an AI avatar of the Meta boss, with whom employees can interact.
Rumours also indicate that Mark Zuckerberg is now spending more time using AI to code.
Point 5: Meta’s new AI models, focus on AI agents
Meta recently launched its latest AI model, Muse Spark. This is the company’s first model that was developed by the Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL), led by Alexandr Wang. The company also changed the logo for Meta AI with this release.
Alexandr Wang, who was appointed as the chief of MSL after a $14.5 billion takeover of Scale AI, has teased that more AI models of the Muse family will be launched soon.
Additionally, Meta is also doubling down on AI agents. The company previously acquired Moltbook, the AI social media platform that went viral after bots declared the need for an AI takeover. With Moltbook creator Peter Steinberger joining Meta. The company also acquired Manus AI to bolster its agentic development plans.
