The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST),  a lab housed under the Commerce Department, plans to terminate around 500 probationary employees due to federal budget cuts.

These layoffs were communicated verbally to staff on Feb. 19, according to anonymous sources.

NIST has been involved in semiconductor manufacturing programs and AI standards.

Approximately 60% of employees working on US$39 billion in manufacturing incentive programs and around two-thirds involved in US$11 billion in research and development efforts could be impacted.