According to Goldman Sachs, AI contributed to an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 net job losses per month in the most affected U.S. industries last year. The technology also accounted for around 7% of all planned layoffs in January, highlighting how automation and AI are reshaping corporate workforce strategies.
Across the globe, companies are increasingly linking workforce reductions to AI integration and efficiency initiatives. Below is an alphabetical summary of notable AI-related layoffs announced since last October:
- AGORA – The Polish media group revealed in December plans to cut up to 166 positions, approximately 6.5% of its workforce, as part of a digital restructuring strategy.
- ALLIANZ – The German insurance giant intends to eliminate up to 1,800 jobs in its travel insurance division, as AI gradually replaces manual processes, according to a source familiar with the plans.
- AMAZON – The tech behemoth confirmed 16,000 corporate layoffs on January 28, with further reductions possible as it pivots toward AI-driven operations and efficiency.
- AUTODESK – The U.S. design-software company announced a 7% reduction in its global workforce—roughly 1,000 jobs—on January 22, reallocating resources toward cloud services and AI development.
- BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO – On February 12, the tobacco and nicotine products firm unveiled an AI-focused productivity program expected to result in job cuts, though no specific figures were provided.
- DOW – The U.S. chemical manufacturer plans to cut approximately 4,500 jobs, or 13% of its workforce, as of January 29, streamlining operations through automation and AI.
- HP INC – The computing and printing giant anticipates reducing 4,000 to 6,000 global positions by fiscal 2028 as part of an AI-driven operational overhaul.
- MERCADOLIBRE – The Brazilian e-commerce platform laid off 119 employees in an AI expansion initiative, reported by Folha de S. Paulo on January 12.
- META – The parent company of Facebook and Instagram is restructuring its Reality Labs division, cutting over 1,000 jobs, while also eliminating roughly 600 positions from its Superintelligence Labs, a move first announced in October.
- NIKE – The sportswear giant is reducing its workforce by 775 positions to enhance profits and accelerate AI adoption, according to sources cited by Reuters.
- PINTEREST – The social media platform plans to cut up to 15% of its workforce to prioritize AI-focused roles and strategy, announced in January.
- SEB – The French small appliance maker revealed on February 25 a restructuring plan leveraging AI, potentially impacting up to 2,100 jobs worldwide by 2027.
- TELSTRA – Australia’s largest telecom company is set to cut 650 positions in an AI-driven restructuring with India’s Infosys, reported by The Australian on February 11.
- WISETECH – The Australian software firm announced it will lay off about 2,000 employees, nearly a third of its global workforce, as AI integration transforms both customer-facing software and internal operations.
These developments underscore how AI is no longer a peripheral innovation but a central driver of corporate strategy and workforce reshaping. As companies continue to adopt automation and AI technologies, the labor market is confronting profound shifts that are likely to accelerate in the coming years.