A group of 26 former Meta employees has filed a lawsuit alleging that the company used artificial intelligence tools to disproportionately target workers for layoffs while they were on protected medical leave. The lawsuit was submitted on Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, seeking to halt the layoffs pending the outcome of their claims.
Allegations of AI Misuse
The plaintiffs claim that Meta relied on various AI systems, including its 'Metamate' assistant and performance-ranking algorithms, to compile a layoff list without considering the circumstances of employees who took protected leave. According to the complaint, these AI tools failed to account for the legal rights of employees on medical or family leave, leading to a biased selection process.
Meta did not assemble the termination list through the considered judgment of managers who knew the work,
the lawsuit states.
Meta's Response
Meta has denied the allegations, asserting that workforce decisions were made by people, not AI. Andy Stone, Meta's Communications Director, emphasized that the claims lack merit, stating,
Workforce management and organizational decisions were and are made by people, not AI.
Earlier this year, the company announced layoffs affecting about 8,000 employees, or approximately 10% of its workforce, as part of a restructuring linked to its increasing investments in AI technology.
The lawsuit comes amid growing scrutiny of AI tools in the workplace, particularly regarding potential biases against employees on leave. States like California and Illinois have enacted regulations aimed at protecting workers from AI-related discrimination.
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The lawsuit could impact Meta's stock performance as investors assess potential legal liabilities and reputational risks associated with the use of AI in employment decisions. The case may also prompt further regulatory scrutiny of AI practices in the tech industry. Watch for upcoming developments in the case as it proceeds through the courts.