Moyan Chen, a former Meta data scientist, reflects on how AI-driven layoffs have reshaped her career outlook and the job market for technology professionals.
Moyan Chen, a 24-year-old former data scientist at Meta, has experienced a significant shift in her perspective on career stability within the technology sector following her layoff after less than a year with the company. Living in New York City, Chen believes that the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is compelling workers across the industry to reevaluate their professional futures.
According to a report from Business Insider, Chen was among those affected by Meta’s layoffs in May, a decision that followed months of uncertainty regarding potential job cuts. She described the lead-up to the layoffs as more challenging than the layoffs themselves, as employees grappled with anxiety about their job security.
Reflecting on her experience, Chen stated, “Ultimately, it feels like I lost my job to AI.” The months of uncertainty leading to the layoffs proved to be a source of significant stress for her. Rumors of impending workforce reductions began circulating within Meta as early as March, leaving employees in the dark about when cuts would occur or who would be impacted. This lack of clarity created a tense atmosphere.
“Some of my colleagues and I were dreading Wednesdays because Meta has sometimes laid people off on those days. So every Tuesday night when I left work, I wondered if I was coming back,” she recalled. As speculation grew, Chen developed a routine of checking her email early on Wednesday mornings, hoping for updates about her employment status. After weeks of waiting, the company finally announced that job cuts were scheduled for May 20.
When the day arrived, Chen’s reaction surprised her. “When the day finally came, and I got laid off, I was like, ‘This is it.’ It was a sense of relief, not of hurt.” This experience challenged the widely held belief that securing a position at a major technology company guarantees long-term job security.
Many of Chen’s colleagues who were also laid off are now actively seeking new employment, utilizing professional networks and social media platforms to connect with potential employers. “A lot of my coworkers were also impacted, and they’re trying to find jobs. They are making posts on LinkedIn and asking for new opportunities,” she noted.
Chen likened the current state of the tech industry to passengers aboard a fast-moving ship navigating uncertain waters. “It feels like we are all sailing on the sea, and Meta is a huge ship that’s moving very fast. When the AI storm comes, is your next move to jump to a smaller, slower ship?” she pondered. While some professionals view sectors like finance as potentially offering greater stability due to a more gradual AI adoption, Chen questioned whether any industry could remain untouched by the technology’s growing influence.
Despite her job loss, Chen has not felt overwhelming financial pressure. As a single person without family obligations in the United States, she believes she has more flexibility than many others facing similar situations. Although she enjoys living in New York City, she mentioned that returning to China remains an option if necessary.
The layoff prompted Chen to reconsider the value of pursuing a traditional corporate career. After years of working and interning at major technology firms, she no longer views large employers as the safest route to long-term stability. Previously, concerns about financial security kept her committed to the corporate path. “How am I going to feed myself if I don’t work for a big company?” she questioned. However, her experience has altered that perspective. “Now I feel like it’s not safe anymore, like I can get laid off at any time.”
For the time being, Chen is utilizing Meta’s severance package to give herself some breathing room as she evaluates her next steps. Before her layoff, she worked as a data scientist on Instagram, where she witnessed firsthand how AI tools were beginning to transform daily work. She observed that many routine responsibilities traditionally handled by data scientists are becoming increasingly automated. Tasks such as writing database queries, generating visualizations, and performing basic data analysis no longer provide the same career advantages they once did.
“If you only know how to code, that’s not enough. If you’re just writing SQL queries, using Python, or tracking and analyzing metrics, it’s not a very promising career anymore,” she explained. Chen believes that the next generation of data scientists will need a broader skill set that extends beyond technical expertise. Professionals who can integrate data knowledge with business strategy, product thinking, and decision-making will be better positioned as AI takes over more routine tasks. “It got to the point where I wouldn’t check AI-generated queries because they have gotten so accurate,” she added.
At the same time, she acknowledged that AI still struggles with more complex work that requires judgment, context, and strategic thinking. This experience has also shifted her personal interests. Rather than focusing solely on AI as a technological breakthrough, Chen has become increasingly interested in its impact on careers and workplace dynamics.
Since leaving Meta, she has been documenting her career transition online and sharing insights about how AI is reshaping employment. She is also exploring career coaching as a means to assist others navigating similar disruptions. “I’m still in a transition period and don’t have all the answers. Seeing how AI is changing things makes me rethink the type of job I might want,” she said.
Looking ahead, Chen expressed interest in joining an AI startup if she finds a company that aligns with her values and interests. While she recognizes that startups come with their own uncertainties, she believes that remaining in traditional analytics-focused roles may pose a greater long-term risk as automation accelerates across the industry. “Those companies can be risky, but staying at a big company doing traditional data analytics and reporting jobs just feels like I will be left behind. That’s riskier in the long term,” she concluded.
Chen’s reflections highlight the evolving landscape of the tech industry and the pressing need for professionals to adapt to the rapid advancements in AI technology, as well as the shifting perceptions of job security in this dynamic environment.
According to Business Insider, Chen’s experience is emblematic of a broader trend affecting workers in the technology sector.