Meta Staff Slam 'Out of Touch' AI Hackathon Amid Layoffs

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's recent announcement of a companywide AI hackathon scheduled for July 14-16 has been met with significant employee pushback. Employees, already burdened by recent mass layoffs, expressed that they lack the time and incentive to participate in additional activities. Concerns were raised about low morale and a declining trust in management, making it difficult to engage with the hackathon.

Some workers highlighted that increased workloads and reduced staffing leave them preoccupied with core responsibilities. They noted that such efforts may not count toward performance evaluations, further diminishing motivation. This sentiment starkly contrasts with previous hackathon cultures at Meta, with employees citing a perceived lack of safety and time for innovation alongside regular duties.

In addition to the hackathon, Zuckerberg outlined other initiatives to reenergize the workforce, including increased budgets for team offsites and the discontinuation of hot desking in some offices. These efforts aim to address internal criticism following recent workforce reductions and other concerns.