Trending Now - AI Drives Job Cuts as Tech Layoffs Escalate in 2023
WHO:
ABC News - Cisco Systems, Block, Dow, Inc., Pinterest, Lufthansa Group, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, CEO Chunk Robbins, CEO Jack Dorsey, CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
SFGATE - Brian Creely, tech recruiter and career coach.
WHAT:
ABC News - Cisco Systems announced plans to cut under 4,000 jobs, or about 5% of its workforce, coinciding with record revenue for its third fiscal quarter.
ABC News - Block's CEO Jack Dorsey stated, "The core thesis is simple. Intelligence tools have changed what it means to build and run a company."
ABC News - Dow, Inc. announced plans to cut about 4,500 jobs as part of a broader push to streamline operations.
ABC News - Pinterest said it would lay off under 15% of its workforce as part of broader transformation initiatives.
ABC News - Lufthansa Group plans to shed 4,000 jobs by 2030, citing the adoption of AI and digitalization.
ABC News - Meta plans to lay off about 8,000 workers, or about 10% of its workforce, starting next week.
SFGATE - The first quarter of 2026 saw layoffs totaling around 81,700, the highest quarterly figure since early 2023, with an additional 20,000 more in the first six weeks of the second quarter.
SFGATE - The total number of tech layoffs in 2025 was around 27,000 to 37,000 per quarter.
SFGATE - The current trajectory suggests that layoffs in 2026 may rival the scale of layoffs seen in previous downturns, with over 100,000 layoffs already reported this year.
CNBC - General Motors laid off between 500 and 600 salaried workers globally, largely in information technology operations in Texas and Michigan, as part of ongoing workforce adjustments related to AI.
CNBC - Ford CEO Jim Farley stated, "Artificial intelligence is going to replace literally half of all white-collar workers in the U.S."
CNBC - The "Detroit Three" automakers have cut more than 20,000 U.S. salaried jobs, or 19% of their combined workforces, from recent employment peaks this decade.
CNBC - General Motors reduced U.S. salaried headcounts by roughly 11,000 people from 2022 through last year.
CNBC - Ford has scaled back by roughly 5,300 workers to reach about 30,700 white-collar employees last year.
CNBC - Stellantis has gone from 15,000 salaried workers in 2020 to about 11,000 during that time.
Fast Company - Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian stated, "I was amazed at how quick and easy it was generated," referring to his experience using AI to write his commencement speech, which he ultimately discarded for lacking "soul nor warmth."
VentureBeat - Fin Operator, a new AI agent from the company formerly known as Intercom, will enter general availability in summer 2026, and the company has crossed $100 million in annual recurring revenue, with the AI agent accounting for roughly a quarter of total revenue.
CNBC - General Motors laid off between 500 and 600 salaried workers globally, largely in information technology operations in Texas and Michigan, as part of ongoing workforce adjustments related to AI.
TechRadar - AI video generation startup Runway is now valued at $5.3 billion and added $40 million in annual recurring revenue in the second quarter.
ABC News - Block announced layoffs of more than 4,000 of its 10,000 plus employees.
ABC News - Dow, Inc. announced plans to cut about 4,500 jobs.
ABC News - Pinterest announced it would lay off under 15% of its workforce.
ABC News - Lufthansa Group said it would shed 4,000 jobs by 2030.
ABC News - Meta plans to lay off about 8,000 workers, or about 10% of its workforce.
SFGATE - The first quarter of 2026 saw layoffs totaling around 81,700, the highest quarterly figure since early 2023, with an additional 20,000 more in the first six weeks of the second quarter.
SFGATE - Over 100,000 layoffs in tech have occurred this year, almost equaling the total number of tech layoffs in 2025.
SFGATE - The current trajectory suggests that layoffs in 2026 may rival the scale of layoffs seen in previous downturns, with over 100,000 layoffs already reported this year.
CNBC - The largest American automaker, General Motors, had a run-up in employment, expanding from 48,000 U.S. white-collar workers in 2020 to 58,000 in 2022.
CNBC - The combined white-collar employment for the three automakers peaked at roughly 102,000 jobs in 2022 and fell 13% to 88,700 people as of the end of last year.
CNBC - General Motors reduced U.S. salaried headcounts by roughly 11,000 people from 2022 through last year.
CNBC - Ford has scaled back by roughly 5,300 workers to reach about 30,700 white-collar employees last year.
CNBC - Stellantis has gone from 15,000 salaried workers in 2020 to about 11,000 during that time.
ABC News - Meta plans to start layoffs of about 8,000 workers, or about 10% of its workforce, next week.
SFGATE - The current trajectory suggests that layoffs in 2026 may rival the scale of layoffs seen in previous downturns, with over 100,000 layoffs already reported this year.
ABC News - Companies are redirecting money to AI and streamlining operations, which has raised concerns about job security across sectors.
ABC News - Executives suggest that AI demand could open up new roles in the future.
SFGATE - The major restructuring is attributed to investment in artificial intelligence.
Fast Company - Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian admitted he used AI to write his commencement speech at Emory University, stating, "I was amazed at how quick and easy it was generated," but he ultimately discarded it for lacking "soul nor warmth."
VentureBeat - Fin Operator, a new AI agent from the company formerly known as Intercom, will enter general availability in summer 2026, and the company has crossed $100 million in annual recurring revenue, with the AI agent accounting for roughly a quarter of total revenue.
CNBC - General Motors laid off between 500 and 600 salaried workers globally, largely in information technology operations in Texas and Michigan, as part of ongoing workforce adjustments related to AI.
Fast Company - Fin Operator, a new AI agent from the company formerly known as Intercom, is designed to manage another AI agent, Fin, and is set to enter general availability in summer 2026.
TechRadar - AI video generation startup Runway is now valued at $5.3 billion and added $40 million in annual recurring revenue in the second quarter.
ABC News - Cisco Systems announced plans to cut under 4,000 jobs, or about 5% of its workforce, coinciding with record revenue for its third fiscal quarter.
ABC News - Block's CEO Jack Dorsey stated, "The core thesis is simple. Intelligence tools have changed what it means to build and run a company."
ABC News - Dow, Inc. announced plans to cut about 4,500 jobs as part of a broader push to streamline operations.
ABC News - Pinterest said it would lay off under 15% of its workforce as part of broader transformation initiatives.
ABC News - Lufthansa Group plans to shed 4,000 jobs by 2030, citing the adoption of AI and digitalization.
ABC News - Meta plans to lay off about 8,000 workers, or about 10% of its workforce, starting next week.
SFGATE - The current trajectory suggests that layoffs in 2026 may rival the scale of layoffs seen in previous downturns, with over 100,000 layoffs already reported this year.
SFGATE - The major restructuring is attributed to investment in artificial intelligence.
SFGATE - The first quarter of 2026 saw layoffs totaling around 81,700, the highest quarterly figure since early 2023, with an additional 20,000 more in the first six weeks of the second quarter.
SFGATE - The total number of tech layoffs in 2025 was around 27,000 to 37,000 per quarter.
CNBC - General Motors laid off between 500 and 600 salaried workers globally, largely in information technology operations in Texas and Michigan.
CNBC - Ford CEO Jim Farley stated, "Artificial intelligence is going to replace literally half of all white-collar workers in the U.S."
CNBC - The largest American automaker, General Motors, had a run-up in employment, expanding from 48,000 U.S. white-collar workers in 2020 to 58,000 in 2022.
CNBC - The combined white-collar employment for the three automakers peaked at roughly 102,000 jobs in 2022 and fell 13% to 88,700 people as of the end of last year.
CNBC - The "Detroit Three" automakers have cut more than 20,000 U.S. salaried jobs, or 19% of their combined workforces, from recent employment peaks this decade.
CNBC - General Motors reduced U.S. salaried headcounts by roughly 11,000 people from 2022 through last year.
CNBC - Ford has scaled back by roughly 5,300 workers to reach about 30,700 white-collar employees last year.
CNBC - Stellantis has gone from 15,000 salaried workers in 2020 to about 11,000 during that time.
CNBC - GM laid off between 500 and 600 salaried workers globally, largely in information technology operations in Texas and Michigan.
CNBC - The largest American automaker, General Motors, had a run-up in employment, expanding from 48,000 U.S. white-collar workers in 2020 to 58,000 in 2022.
ABC News - Meta plans to start layoffs of about 8,000 workers, or about 10% of its workforce, next week.
SFGATE - The current trajectory suggests that layoffs in 2026 may rival the scale of layoffs seen in previous downturns, with over 100,000 layoffs already reported this year.
SFGATE - The first quarter of 2026 saw layoffs totaling around 81,700, the highest quarterly figure since early 2023, with an additional 20,000 more in the first six weeks of the second quarter.
SFGATE - Over 100,000 layoffs in tech have occurred this year, almost equaling the total number of tech layoffs in 2025.
SFGATE - Layoffs totaled around 81,700 in the first quarter alone, the highest quarterly figure since early 2023, with an additional 20,000 more in the first six weeks of the second quarter.
SFGATE - The current trajectory suggests the sector may be entering another period of restructuring, with 2026 already on track to rival the scale of layoffs seen in previous downturns.
ABC News - Cisco Systems announced plans to cut under 4,000 jobs, or about 5% of its workforce.
ABC News - Block announced layoffs of more than 4,000 of its 10,000 plus employees.
ABC News - Dow, Inc. announced plans to cut about 4,500 jobs.
ABC News - Pinterest announced it would lay off under 15% of its workforce.
ABC News - Lufthansa Group said it would shed 4,000 jobs by 2030.
ABC News - Meta plans to lay off about 8,000 workers, or about 10% of its workforce.
SFGATE - Over 100,000 layoffs in tech have occurred this year.
SFGATE - Layoffs totaled around 81,700 in the first quarter alone.
SFGATE - The total number of tech layoffs in 2025 was around 27,000 to 37,000 per quarter.
WHERE:
ABC News - New York (Cisco Systems announcement).
ABC News - Menlo Park, California (Facebook headquarters).
WHEN:
Fast Company - Fin Operator will be generally available in summer 2026.
ABC News - Cisco's job cuts announcement coincided with the release of record revenue for its third fiscal quarter.
ABC News - Meta's layoffs are set to start next week.
SFGATE - The layoffs in tech are reported to have occurred in 2026.
WHY:
SFGATE - The major restructuring in tech layoffs is attributed to investment in artificial intelligence, with a report indicating that layoffs in 2026 may rival the scale of layoffs seen in previous downturns.
CNBC - Reasons for the job declines vary by automaker, but are generally tied to evolving technological changes in the automotive industry, including the rise of software-defined vehicles, autonomous and all-electric vehicles, and AI.
CNBC - Reasons for the job declines vary by automaker, but are generally tied to evolving technological changes in the automotive industry, including the rise of software-defined vehicles, autonomous and all-electric vehicles, and AI.
CNBC - Ford CEO Jim Farley stated, "Artificial intelligence is going to replace literally half of all white-collar workers in the U.S."
ABC News - Companies are redirecting money to AI and streamlining operations, which has raised concerns about job security across sectors.
SFGATE - The major restructuring is attributed to investment in artificial intelligence.
ABC News - Companies are redirecting money to AI and streamlining operations.
ABC News - Executives suggest that AI demand could open up new roles in the future.
SFGATE - The current layoffs are attributed to major restructuring and investment in artificial intelligence.
HOW:
ABC News - Cisco's CEO stated that companies must have focus, urgency, and discipline to shift investments, leading to hard decisions regarding layoffs.
ABC News - Block's CEO mentioned that a smaller team using intelligence tools can achieve more efficiently.
ABC News - Cisco's CEO stated that companies must have focus, urgency, and discipline to shift investments, leading to hard decisions regarding layoffs.
ABC News - Block's CEO mentioned that a smaller team using intelligence tools can achieve more efficiently.
ABC News - Executives suggest that while they’re making cuts to move around resources now, AI and its demand could open up new roles down the road.
CNBC - GM is increasingly hiring for AI-related jobs and encouraging workers, including in IT, to embrace its AI platforms.
CNBC - GM is increasingly hiring for AI-related jobs and encouraging workers, including in IT, to embrace its AI platforms.
ABC News - Cisco's CEO stated that companies must have focus, urgency, and discipline to shift investments, leading to hard decisions regarding layoffs.
ABC News - Cisco's CEO stated that companies must have focus, urgency, and discipline to shift investments, leading to hard decisions.
ABC News - Block's CEO mentioned that a smaller team using intelligence tools can achieve more efficiently.
(UPDATED May 16, 2026 13:19 UTC)
Cisco Systems has announced plans to cut under 4,000 jobs, which represents about 5% of its workforce, despite reporting record revenue for its third fiscal quarter. Meanwhile, Meta is set to lay off about 8,000 workers starting next week, and Pinterest plans to reduce its workforce by under 15% as part of broader transformation initiatives. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, layoffs totaled around 81,700, marking the highest quarterly figure since early 2023, with the current trajectory suggesting that layoffs this year may exceed 100,000.
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(UPDATED May 16, 2026 11:16 UTC)
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian expressed his surprise at how quickly AI helped him draft a commencement speech, although he ultimately decided to discard it for lacking "soul nor warmth." In a broader trend, companies are making significant workforce reductions, with General Motors laying off up to 600 salaried workers and Meta planning to cut about 8,000 jobs, as they shift investments toward artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, the AI agent Fin Operator from the company formerly known as Intercom is set to launch in summer 2026, contributing to the company's impressive $100 million in annual recurring revenue.
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(UPDATED May 16, 2026 09:22 UTC)
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian revealed that he initially used AI to draft his commencement speech at Emory University, but ultimately decided against it, citing a lack of "soul nor warmth." Meanwhile, Fin Operator, a new AI agent from the company formerly known as Intercom, is set to become widely available in summer 2026, contributing to the company’s impressive milestone of over $100 million in annual recurring revenue. This surge in AI investment is also linked to significant tech layoffs, with reports suggesting that the scale of layoffs in 2026 could match those seen during previous downturns.
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(UPDATED May 16, 2026 07:35 UTC)
General Motors has laid off between 500 and 600 salaried workers globally, primarily in information technology operations in Texas and Michigan, as part of ongoing workforce adjustments related to AI. In other tech news, AI video generation startup Runway has reached a valuation of $5.3 billion, adding $40 million in annual recurring revenue in the second quarter. Additionally, a new AI agent called Fin Operator, from the company formerly known as Intercom, is set to enter general availability in summer 2026.
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(UPDATED May 15, 2026 23:15 UTC)
Cisco Systems has announced plans to cut nearly 4,000 jobs, which represents about 5% of its workforce, despite reporting record revenue for its third fiscal quarter. Meanwhile, Meta is set to lay off around 8,000 workers, or about 10% of its workforce, starting next week, as part of a broader trend where over 100,000 layoffs have already been reported this year. Executives from various companies, including Block and Dow, emphasize that while these layoffs are tough decisions aimed at streamlining operations, the rise of artificial intelligence could potentially create new roles in the future.
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(UPDATED May 15, 2026 21:18 UTC)
General Motors has laid off between 500 and 600 salaried workers globally, primarily in information technology operations in Texas and Michigan. This comes as Ford CEO Jim Farley warned that artificial intelligence could replace half of all white-collar workers in the U.S., highlighting a significant shift in the automotive industry driven by technological advancements. While GM's white-collar workforce expanded from 48,000 in 2020 to 58,000 in 2022, the combined employment for the three major automakers peaked at around 102,000 jobs in 2022 before dropping to 88,700 by the end of last year, as companies increasingly focus on AI-related roles.
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(UPDATED May 15, 2026 19:22 UTC)
The "Detroit Three" automakers have cut more than 20,000 U.S. salaried jobs, representing 19% of their combined workforces from recent peaks this decade, with General Motors alone reducing its headcount by about 11,000 people since 2022. Ford has scaled back by roughly 5,300 workers, while Stellantis has seen its salaried workforce shrink from 15,000 in 2020 to around 11,000 now, largely due to technological changes in the automotive industry, including the rise of AI and electric vehicles. In response to these shifts, GM is focusing on hiring for AI-related positions and encouraging its workforce to adapt to new technologies.
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(UPDATED May 15, 2026 17:25 UTC)
Meta is set to lay off about 8,000 workers, which is roughly 10% of its workforce, starting next week. This comes amid a troubling trend in 2026, where layoffs have already surpassed 100,000, with the first quarter alone accounting for around 81,700 job losses, the highest since early 2023. Companies are increasingly redirecting funds toward AI and streamlining operations, prompting leaders like Cisco's CEO to emphasize the need for focus and discipline, which often leads to tough decisions about staffing.
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(UPDATED May 15, 2026 15:40 UTC)
This year has seen over 100,000 layoffs in the tech sector, nearly matching the total for all of 2025. The first quarter alone accounted for around 81,700 of those layoffs, marking the highest quarterly figure since early 2023, with an additional 20,000 in just the first six weeks of the second quarter. Experts suggest that this wave of layoffs is largely driven by significant investment in artificial intelligence, indicating that the industry may be entering another period of restructuring.
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(UPDATED May 15, 2026 13:29 UTC)
Cisco Systems has announced plans to cut nearly 4,000 jobs, which is about 5% of its workforce, while Block is laying off more than 4,000 of its over 10,000 employees. Additionally, Dow, Inc. plans to eliminate around 4,500 positions, and Meta is set to lay off about 8,000 workers, or 10% of its staff, with these layoffs attributed to major restructuring and a shift in focus towards artificial intelligence. These job cuts come as tech companies, including Pinterest and Lufthansa Group, are redirecting investments to AI, with Meta's layoffs expected to begin next week.