Informed sources responded that the claim 'Tencent laid off 50%' is a rumor and a misinterpretation, and this statement is completely untrue.

Silicon TL;DR

1. IT Home, November 12 — In response to circulating claims on social media such as 'Tencent layoffs of 50%' and 'layoffs of 8,000 people,' insiders close to Tencent told Sina Technology today that the rumors were a misinterpretation of internal speeches, and these claims are completely untrue.
2. The starting point of this rumor was the Linktime online livestream during Tencent's 28th anniversary celebration on November 11.
3. According to the aforementioned insiders, Tencent's management expressed their determination to accelerate organizational change during the live broadcast and used a set of metaphors to explain the idea of resource reallocation: the company's core business is the 'army,' while the AI Native business is the 'navy';
4. The 'Army' wants to leverage AI to improve efficiency, while also transferring 50% of its personnel to the 'Navy' to support the exploration of AI Native operations.