Meta元宇宙部门狂裁千人：一醒来就收到邮件，刚入职也未能幸免

Core Viewpoint - Meta is significantly downsizing its metaverse operations by cutting over 1,000 jobs in the Reality Labs division, marking a strategic shift towards AI and wearable technology [2][6][31]. Group 1: Job Cuts and Resource Reallocation - Meta is laying off approximately 10% of its Reality Labs employees, which translates to over 1,000 positions being eliminated [6]. - The resources saved from these layoffs will be redirected towards emerging fields such as AI hardware and wearable devices [4][31]. - The layoffs were unexpected for many employees, including those who had recently joined the company [7][9]. Group 2: Changes in VR Strategy - Meta has closed three notable VR game studios, indicating a fundamental shift in its VR content strategy [12]. - The VR fitness app Supernatural will halt new content development, focusing only on maintaining existing operations [13]. - The company will pivot from heavy in-house content development to relying on third-party developers and partners, aiming to reduce costs and market risks [13]. Group 3: Financial Context and Strategic Shift - Reality Labs has incurred cumulative losses exceeding $70 billion since 2021, prompting the need for financial restructuring [20]. - The unexpected market success of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses has influenced the reallocation of resources towards more profitable ventures [21]. - The competitive landscape has changed, with other companies like Microsoft and Disney scaling back their metaverse initiatives, leaving Meta to bear the market education costs alone [26]. Group 4: Focus on AI and Infrastructure - Meta is shifting its focus from the metaverse to AI, with AGI being identified as a core future goal [31]. - A new department called "Meta Computing" has been established to oversee the company's infrastructure development [31]. - The integration of generative AI technology into existing applications aims to enhance advertising efficiency and provide stable cash flow for future investments [32]. Group 5: Hardware and User Interaction Changes - The positioning of hardware has fundamentally changed, with smart glasses being redefined as AI assistants [34]. - Meta is moving away from traditional VR interactions to a new standard based on visual recognition and voice commands [35]. - The goal is to create a wearable AI assistant that users can interact with naturally, without manual input [36].