Artificial intelligence impacts the workforce: 55 thousand people left unemployed

According to the latest report from the US-based consulting firm Challenger, a total of 1.17 million people were laid off in the US in 2025. This figure was recorded as the highest level since the 2.2 million layoffs seen in 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic was at its peak. Artificial intelligence, in particular, stands out as a significant reason for the layoffs.

US employers laid off 153 thousand people in October and more than 71 thousand in November. Artificial intelligence was cited as the reason for more than 6 thousand of these layoffs. Major technology companies such as Amazon and Salesforce have cited artificial intelligence as the reason behind their decisions while laying off thousands of their employees. The number of people who lost their jobs due to artificial intelligence throughout the year was recorded as 55 thousand.

With rising inflation and increasing tax costs, companies see artificial intelligence as a quick solution to reduce costs. According to research by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, artificial intelligence could perform the jobs of 11.7 percent of the US labor market, which could provide up to 1.2 trillion dollars in wage savings.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STRATEGIES OF MAJOR COMPANIES

Amazon initiated the largest wave of layoffs in its history by cutting 14 thousand corporate positions to focus on its artificial intelligence investments. Microsoft announced that it would lay off a total of approximately 15 thousand people by 2025. Salesforce, meanwhile, laid off 4 thousand support staff following the implementation of artificial intelligence-supported processes.

IBM announced in November that it would carry out a 1 percent layoff globally, which would affect approximately 3 thousand employees. Cybersecurity software manufacturer CrowdStrike announced in May that it would lay off 5 percent of its workforce, or 500 employees, due to artificial intelligence. Human resources platform Workday announced that it would lay off approximately 1,750 people, equivalent to 8.5 percent of its workforce, in order to invest more in artificial intelligence.

News Source: 12punto