Recently, reports emerged that Meituan has initiated large-scale layoffs for non-technical roles, with termination rates ranging from 30% to 50%. Demand for developers specializing in front-end, testing, and operations has also significantly declined. These cuts are allegedly justified under the guise of “leveraging AI to cut costs and boost efficiency,” streamlining intermediary processes while having AI directly address business needs — many positions have already been replaced by AI tools.
Online sources indicate some employees who had contracts terminated unilaterally received only “N+1” compensation packages; netizens have since advised others to negotiate for “N+2” or even higher payouts. Conversations reveal that workforce reductions in R&D divisions have already begun and are slated to continue through late June.
Public opinion regarding this development remains highly polarized. Critics argue that enterprises’ push toward “full AI integration” inevitably leads to sweeping cuts in conventional product-development roles, thereby exacerbating anxieties within today’s job market.