A group of 26 Meta employees has filed a lawsuit alleging that the company used AI-driven systems to select workers for layoffs, disproportionately impacting those on medical or parental leave. The plaintiffs claim that Meta's internal AI tools, including keystroke monitoring, activity tracking, and algorithmically generated performance rankings, were used to determine which employees would be let go. These employees are among the 8,000 Meta said it would lay off in May, representing about 10 percent of its workforce.

The lawsuit, filed late Monday in federal court in Oakland, California, asserts that the AI systems used by Meta were biased and failed to account for protected leave status. The plaintiffs argue that the algorithms used to evaluate employee performance were designed in a way that made it difficult for those on leave to accumulate the necessary scores to avoid being laid off. The case has drawn attention from legal experts and labor advocates, who are scrutinizing the role of AI in employment decisions.

According to the lawsuit, Meta allegedly used internal AI systems to generate layoff lists, including keystroke and activity-monitoring data, AI token-usage dashboards, and algorithmically assisted performance rankings. The plaintiffs claim that these systems were not transparent and did not consider the unique circumstances of employees on leave. The lawsuit also references a specific number of employees affected, with 59,963 being a key figure cited in related legal documents.

The use of AI in this context raises broader concerns about algorithmic bias, transparency, and accountability in workforce management. Companies relying on AI for decisions such as layoffs must ensure that these systems do not inadvertently discriminate against protected groups. The case could set a precedent for how AI is regulated in employment practices, influencing future policies and legal standards. The outcome may also impact how other firms implement AI in human resources.

The lawsuit is still developing, with the plaintiffs remaining employed by Meta until their separations are set to begin on July 22. The case has drawn attention from various legal entities, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and could lead to further scrutiny of AI's role in employment decisions. The outcome may influence how companies use AI in workforce management, particularly in ensuring fairness and compliance with labor laws.