Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg says artificial intelligence is transforming how work gets done inside the company, with some projects that once required entire teams now being handled by a single highly skilled employee.
Zuckerberg made the remarks during a recent earnings call, describing how AI-powered tools are dramatically boosting individual productivity. He said Meta is investing heavily in AI-native systems designed to help employees operate more independently and reduce reliance on large, layered teams, as reported by Business Insider.
“Projects that once required large teams can now be managed by a single highly skilled individual,” Zuckerberg said, signaling a shift in how the company views hiring and organizational design.
Meta is increasing its AI-related spending by nearly 70 percent this year, following stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings. The company says its engineers are already seeing productivity gains through AI-assisted coding systems, often described as agentic tools that can write, test, and optimize software with minimal human oversight.
The move toward smaller, more capable teams aligns with Zuckerberg’s broader push for a flatter organizational structure. In previous internal communications, he has emphasized reducing layers of management to streamline decision-making and execution.
Despite the emphasis on efficiency, Meta’s workforce actually grew by 6 percent over the past year, driven by hiring in monetization and compliance roles. Chief Financial Officer Susan Li acknowledged that competition for top talent remains intense, especially for engineers capable of leveraging advanced AI systems.
Meta’s shift reflects a wider corporate trend. Major technology companies are cutting middle management and restructuring operations to focus on leaner teams. Amazon, Intel, and Google have all announced management reductions, while other firms have reclassified managerial roles into individual contributor positions.
The idea that small teams can achieve massive impact is gaining traction beyond Meta. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has predicted that AI could enable tiny teams to build billion-dollar companies. That possibility is increasingly viewed as realistic as AI tools become more powerful and widely adopted.
Zuckerberg believes 2026 could mark a turning point in how companies operate, with AI allowing individuals to produce output at levels previously associated with entire departments. While challenges remain, including constraints on computing resources needed to power advanced AI systems, Meta appears committed to restructuring its workforce around a future where fewer people can accomplish far more.
