By Milcah Tanimu
TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, has announced layoffs impacting hundreds of employees worldwide, particularly in Malaysia. This decision aligns with its strategy to increase the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in content moderation.
Initially, reports indicated that TikTok had cut over 700 jobs in Malaysia. However, the company later clarified that the number was under 500.
Most affected employees worked in content moderation. Sources told Reuters that the layoffs were communicated via email late Wednesday.
In response to inquiries, TikTok confirmed the layoffs and stated that several hundred positions would be eliminated globally to improve content moderation. The platform uses a mix of automated detection systems and human moderators to oversee user-generated content.
A TikTok spokesperson said, “We’re making these changes to strengthen our global content moderation model.” The company plans to invest $2 billion in trust and safety this year while enhancing operational efficiency. Currently, automated technologies remove 80% of content that violates platform guidelines.
While TikTok did not disclose the exact number of layoffs worldwide, its parent company, ByteDance, employs over 110,000 people across 200 cities globally. Sources indicate that additional layoffs may occur next month as TikTok consolidates regional operations.
These layoffs highlight concerns about AI’s role in job loss globally. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), recently noted that AI could affect nearly 40% of jobs worldwide. In advanced economies, around 60% of jobs may face impacts from AI, with half of these jobs potentially benefiting from AI integration.
