July 14 (Reuters) - Twenty-six employees of Meta Platforms have filed a new lawsuit accusing the tech giant of using artificial intelligence software that disproportionately targeted people with disabilities or on sick leave in its selection for mass layoffs.

The lawsuit, filed in Oakland federal court in California on Monday evening, states that the company relied on factors such as productivity and the use of artificial intelligence codes when it eliminated thousands of jobs earlier this year, while also reducing the chances of people who were absent from work due to health conditions or to care for family members.

The plaintiffs, who were informed in May that they would be laid off effective July 22, are seeking a preliminary court order to prevent Meta Platforms from completing the layoffs pending their private arbitration case. The employees argue that company agreements require employees to arbitrate labor disputes individually, but these agreements do not apply to requests for temporary assistance.

A company spokesperson said on Tuesday that these claims were baseless.

The spokesperson stated, "Manpower management and organizational decisions have always been, and continue to be, made by humans, not artificial intelligence."

Reuters reported that Meta Platforms laid off 10 percent of its global workforce in May, equivalent to about 8,000 employees, and that it plans further layoffs later this year.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg later said he does not expect any further company-wide layoffs this year.