TikTok, the globally popular social media platform owned by ByteDance, has laid off hundreds of employees across its international workforce, including a notable number in Malaysia. This decision is part of a strategic shift toward utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) for content moderation, reducing reliance on human moderators.
Initial reports suggested that over 700 employees in Malaysia were affected, but TikTok later clarified the number was closer to 500. Most of those impacted worked in content moderation, where the company is increasingly implementing AI to detect and remove content that violates platform policies.
In a statement, TikTok confirmed the layoffs, noting that hundreds of employees worldwide would be affected. A spokesperson said, “These changes are part of our ongoing efforts to enhance our global operating model for content moderation.” The platform currently uses a combination of AI tools and human reviewers to monitor user-generated content.
TikTok emphasized its commitment to investing in trust and safety, with plans to allocate $2 billion globally this year. The company also highlighted that around 80% of guideline-violating content is now removed by AI systems, underscoring its growing role in moderation.
While the company did not disclose the total number of layoffs globally, it is part of broader efforts by ByteDance to streamline operations. Reports suggest further job cuts could follow as regional teams consolidate.
This move by TikTok comes amid ongoing global concerns about AI’s impact on employment. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently highlighted that AI could affect around 40% of jobs worldwide, potentially replacing many roles. Similarly, a report from Goldman Sachs warned that AI could displace up to 300 million jobs globally, with significant impacts on the US and European markets.
