Meta faces lawsuit alleging AI-driven layoffs targeted workers on medical leave

Twenty-six Meta employees have sued the tech giant in Oakland, California, alleging the company used artificial intelligence to score, rank and select workers for layoffs, disproportionately targeting staff on medical or family leave or with disabilities. Meta denies the claim, saying workforce decisions were made by people, not AI, and notes the lawsuit lacks merit. The suit is part of Meta’s broader spring 2026 layoff of about 8,000 employees – roughly 10% of its global workforce – as it shifts resources to an aggressive AI push. The company plans to spend up to $145 billion on AI infrastructure in 2026, nearly double its 2025 spend.

For Nigerians, the case highlights how AI is already shaping hiring and firing decisions at multinational tech firms, a trend that could affect remote workers and job seekers in Nigeria’s growing tech sector. It also underscores the massive scale of corporate AI investment, suggesting opportunities for Nigerian talent and firms that can tap into global AI supply chains or develop local AI solutions.

What steps should Nigerian tech professionals take to safeguard their jobs amid AI‑driven workforce changes, and how can Nigeria position itself to benefit from the wave of AI investment?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/07/15/meta-employees-allege-discriminatory-ai-driven-layoffs/