Lawsuit claims Meta's AI unfairly targeted employees on leave

Key Points:

• Twenty-six Meta employees have filed a lawsuit alleging the company used AI systems to select workers for layoffs, disproportionately targeting those on medical, parental, or family leave.
• The lawsuit claims Meta's AI-based performance metrics failed to account for protected leave, resulting in biased layoffs against employees who took such leave or requested disability accommodations.
• Many plaintiffs took pregnancy or parental leave, with some discouraged from taking medical leave due to fear of being laid off; Meta denies the allegations, stating workforce decisions were made by people, not AI.
• The lawsuit alleges violations of multiple laws, including the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, and invokes disparate impact liability, arguing that the AI system disproportionately affected women.
• Despite federal efforts to reduce enforcement of disparate impact claims, the case highlights ongoing legal risks for companies using AI in employment decisions, especially regarding protected classes and leave policies.