Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth Admits AI Reorg Was 'Atrocious' in Memo to Employees
In an internal memo seen by WIRED, Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth acknowledged the company's recent artificial intelligence division restructuring was poorly handled, promising employees more stability, better communication, and the return of workplace perks to improve morale and rekindle internal culture.
Meta’s Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth, has acknowledged that the company performed an 'atrocious' job rolling out its new artificial intelligence division, according to an internal memo sent to employees and seen by WIRED. The memo, dated Monday, promises a renewed focus on employee stability, clearer communication, and the return of workplace perks as Meta seeks to address widespread dissatisfaction within its Applied AI engineering unit.
The comments come in the wake of a WIRED report that revealed deep unrest among the roughly 6,500 engineers and product managers who were moved into the new division in March. The unit was formed to accelerate work on Meta’s generative AI models, but employees have described the work as menial, with one even likening it to 'a gulag.'
Bosworth’s Acknowledgment and Promises
In the memo, Bosworth cited recent employee feedback as the primary driver for the changes he is now announcing. 'We’ve undermined the trust you have that your specific expertise and contribution will be valued, that you will grow and advance your career, and that this will be a place where you can actually have an impact,' he wrote. He admitted that the rapid changes in strategy, including a boom-and-bust hiring cycle, left entire teams in the lurch and shook up management structures that had previously provided stability.
To address these concerns, Bosworth outlined several concrete measures. Meta plans to cap managers at around 20 direct reports each, ensuring more personalized attention for employees. The company will also strive to limit the number of times employees are switched to new managers as part of restructurings. Managers will be expected to focus primarily on managing, with independent work taking a secondary role. Additionally, workers will gain access to 'AI coaching' tools to support their development.
Broader Morale Issues at Meta
The unrest inside the AI team is part of a broader downward swing in morale at Meta, following mass layoffs, increased worker surveillance, and other concerns. In recent days, several executives, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg, have posted internal messages acknowledging employees’ feelings and vowing to make changes. Bosworth, long seen as a Zuckerberg loyalist, emphasized that Meta does not believe AI will fully replace workers, but he cautioned, 'We should heed the saying, ‘AI won’t take your job but someone who knows AI might.’'
Return of Workplace Perks
In an effort to make Meta a more 'fun and enjoyable' place to work, Bosworth vowed to improve workplace conditions. This includes 'improving microkitchens'—break areas stocked with snacks and drinks—as well as increasing travel budgets and spending on social events, so employees can spend more time together in person. 'I hope we can rekindle the best of the culture we joined,' Bosworth wrote.
The memo also comes after Meta Vice President Maher Saba, who leads the Applied AI team, told employees in a separate post that they would now be allowed to apply for other roles within the company if they could secure them. 'Moving forward, we are returning to business as usual and giving people the agency to apply to roles that interest them,' Saba said. This move signals a shift away from the forced assignments that characterized the initial reorganization.
