Snapchat Lays Off 1,000 Employees, Cites AI Efficiency for Restructuring

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:40:00 +0200

Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, announced that it is laying off approximately 1,000 employees, representing about 16% of its workforce, while simultaneously eliminating 300 open positions. CEO Evan Spiegel attributed the workforce reduction to efforts aimed at improving efficiency and moving toward profitability, emphasizing the role of artificial intelligence in streamlining work processes. In a memo included in the company's 8-K filing, Spiegel highlighted that AI tools are helping small teams reduce repetitive tasks and accelerate project progress, which supports the company's broader goal of serving its community, partners, and advertisers more effectively. The move is expected to generate savings of around $500 million by the second half of 2026. This restructuring positions Snap alongside other major tech companies like Meta, Amazon, Oracle, GoPro, and Block, which have also implemented significant layoffs in recent months. Spiegel described the changes as necessary to