ByteDance Lays Off Over 700 Employees in Malaysia as TikTok Shifts to AI Moderation; Plans $2 Billion Investment

Oct 11, 2024, 09:45 AM

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has announced the layoff of over 700 employees from its Malaysian unit as part of a strategic shift towards increased reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) for content moderation. This decision reflects a broader trend within the company to automate content moderation processes, enhancing operational efficiency. Sources familiar with the situation have confirmed that the layoffs are primarily focused on content reviewers. Additionally, the company plans to invest $2 billion in 2024 to bolster trust and safety initiatives. These changes come amid a global restructuring of TikTok’s workforce, with significant job cuts also reported in other regions, particularly affecting safety and moderation teams in the UK.