Trending Now - Ceos Brace for Ai-driven Layoffs Amid Tech Industry Shakeup

WHO:

Bloomberg Markets - JD.com Inc. founder Liu Qiangdong vowed to protect the company's 900,000-strong workforce from losing their jobs to automation.

Fast Company - Groupon had approximately 1,734 employees, including full-time, part-time, seasonal, and temporary employees, as of April 28.

Fast Company - Groupon's board approved a restructuring plan that includes mass layoffs.

Fast Company - Groupon, Inc. (Nasdaq: GRPN) announced mass layoffs as part of its restructuring plan.

TechRadar - 99% of CEOs are preparing for layoffs due to AI advancements.

Inc - Corporate tech leaders are increasingly focused on AI integration.

WHAT:

TechRadar - 99% of CEOs are preparing for layoffs due to AI advancements, with 98% planning organization design changes in the next two years.

Yahoo Finance - A separate consulting firm study by Oliver Wyman found that the number of CEOs looking to reduce junior roles in the next two years jumped from 17% in 2025 to 43% in 2026.

Inc - The 2026 Global Talent Trends report surveyed 825 C-suite leaders and 1,650 HR leaders, revealing that 99% of executives expect AI to lead to at least some headcount reduction in the next two years.

Yahoo Finance - A separate consulting firm study by Oliver Wyman found that the number of CEOs looking to reduce the number of junior roles in the next two years jumped from 17% in 2025 to 43% in 2026.

ABC News - The unemployment rate for recent college graduates registers at 5.6%, notably higher than the overall unemployment rate of 4.2%.

TechRadar - Groupon's stock price surged more than 9% to close at $20.69 following the announcement of layoffs, marking a high for the year.

Fast Company - Groupon's stock is now up over 17% in 2026, but down around 22% over the past 12 months.

Fast Company - Groupon's layoffs are expected to save the company between $20 million and $25 million annually, with $10 million to $12 million in savings anticipated for 2026.

Fast Company - Groupon will reduce "up to 400 positions globally," including both employees and contractors, by the end of Q3 2026.

TechRadar - Groupon's layoffs are part of an "initial phase" of restructuring, with more changes expected to follow.

Fast Company - Groupon's Project Foundry aims to enable the company to operate with the speed required to succeed in an AI-native world.

Fast Company - Groupon plans to reinvest up to 50% of the savings from layoffs in marketing, AI infrastructure, and talent density.

Fast Company - Groupon is currently evaluating additional material cost-reduction and automation actions related to Project Foundry.

Fast Company - Groupon's board approved a restructuring plan that includes mass layoffs, as detailed in a Form 8-K filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on May 21.

Fast Company - Groupon's Project Foundry aims to transform its operating model by embedding AI agents into every function of the company.

Fast Company - Groupon expects any additional cost-reduction and automation actions related to Project Foundry to be completed by the end of 2027.

Inc - A new study from consulting firm Mercer found that 99% of executives surveyed expect AI to lead to at least some headcount reduction in the next two years.

Inc - The 2026 Global Talent Trends report surveyed 825 C-suite leaders and 1,650 HR leaders.

Yahoo Finance - The number of CEOs looking to reduce junior roles in the next two years increased from 17% in 2025 to 43% in 2026.

Yahoo Finance - Meta laid off 8,000 employees on May 20, with another 7,000 workers reassigned to AI initiatives.

Fast Company - Groupon's layoffs are expected to reduce its workforce by "up to 400 positions globally," which would represent roughly 23% of its employed workforce if only employees are included.

Fast Company - Groupon's stock price rose more than 9% to close at $20.69 following the announcement of layoffs, marking a high for the year.

Fast Company - Groupon's layoffs are expected to save the company between $20 million and $25 million annually, with $10 million to $12 million in savings anticipated for 2026.

Fast Company - Groupon's stock price rose more than 9% to close at $20.69 following the announcement of layoffs.

Fast Company - Groupon's stock is now up over 17% in 2026, but down around 22% over the past 12 months.

Fast Company - Groupon will reduce "up to 400 positions globally," including both employees and contractors, by the end of Q3 2026.

Fast Company - Groupon's layoffs are expected to save the company between $20 million and $25 million annually, with $10 million to $12 million in savings anticipated for 2026.

TechRadar - Companies are changing employment strategies and outcome measurement in response to AI.

Inc - The tech industry is experiencing mass layoffs, which are creating new opportunities for workers and entrepreneurs.

WHEN:

Fast Company - Groupon's workforce reductions are expected to occur by October 2026.

Fast Company - Groupon's fiscal Q2 ends on June 30, and its fiscal Q3 runs from July 1 to September 30.

Fast Company - Groupon's workforce reductions are expected to occur by October 2026.

Fast Company - Groupon's fiscal Q2 ends on June 30, and its fiscal Q3 runs from July 1 to September 30.

Fast Company - Groupon expects any additional cost-reduction and automation actions related to Project Foundry to be completed by the end of 2027.

Fast Company - The workforce reductions at Groupon are expected to occur by October 2026.

WHY:

Inc - CEOs are increasingly citing AI as the reason for recent layoffs, with companies like Meta, Pinterest, Dow, and Amazon indicating AI's role in their workforce reductions.

ABC News - Analysts disagree about whether AI is a factor in the hiring crunch faced by recent college graduates, with some attributing sluggish job gains to AI's impact on vulnerable industries.

Fast Company - Groupon's layoffs are part of its strategy to rebuild itself as an "AI-native company" through its initiative called "Project Foundry."

Yahoo Finance - Companies are increasingly citing AI as the reason for recent layoffs, including Meta, Pinterest, Dow, and Amazon.

Fast Company - Groupon's layoffs are part of its strategy to rebuild itself as an "AI-native company" through its initiative called "Project Foundry."

Fast Company - The layoffs are part of Groupon's strategy to become "AI-native" through its initiative called "Project Foundry."

TechRadar - The shift towards AI is prompting companies to rethink their workforce needs and operational strategies.

Inc - The unintended consequences of AI-driven layoffs are leading to openings for savvy workers.

HOW:

Fortune - The study analyzed more than 4 million job applications submitted by 3 million applicants across 156 employers, revealing that over 25% of Black applicants faced bias in AI-powered hiring algorithms.

Fast Company - Groupon plans to reinvest up to 50% of the savings from layoffs in marketing, AI infrastructure, and talent density.

Fast Company - Groupon's Project Foundry aims to embed AI agents into every function of the company to transform its operating model.

TechRadar - Companies are preparing to adapt their employment practices in light of AI developments.

(UPDATED May 28, 2026 12:04 UTC)

A recent report reveals that a staggering 99% of CEOs are preparing for layoffs due to advancements in AI, with nearly all executives expecting some level of headcount reduction in the next two years. In a related study, the number of CEOs planning to cut junior roles has surged from 17% in 2025 to 43% in 2026, reflecting a significant shift in organizational design. Companies like Meta, Pinterest, Dow, and Amazon are among those citing AI as a key factor in their workforce reductions.

(UPDATED May 28, 2026 10:17 UTC)

JD.com Inc. founder Liu Qiangdong has pledged to protect the company's workforce of 900,000 employees from job losses due to automation. Meanwhile, a study by Oliver Wyman indicates a significant increase in the number of CEOs planning to cut junior roles, rising from 17% in 2025 to 43% in 2026, as the unemployment rate for recent college graduates stands at 5.6%, higher than the overall rate of 4.2%. Additionally, a study analyzing over 4 million job applications found that more than 25% of Black applicants experienced bias in AI-powered hiring algorithms, raising concerns about the impact of AI on job opportunities.

(UPDATED May 28, 2026 08:15 UTC)

Groupon's stock price surged more than 9% to close at $20.69 after the announcement of layoffs, marking a high for the year, and the company is now up over 17% in 2026, despite being down around 22% over the past year. The layoffs, which will reduce up to 400 positions globally, are expected to save Groupon between $20 million and $25 million annually, with anticipated savings of $10 million to $12 million for 2026, and these workforce reductions are set to occur by October 2026. This move is part of Groupon's strategy to transform into an "AI-native company" through its initiative called "Project Foundry."

(UPDATED May 28, 2026 06:19 UTC)

Groupon is undergoing significant layoffs as part of an initial phase of restructuring, with more changes anticipated in the future. The company is focusing on its Project Foundry initiative, which aims to help it thrive in an AI-native world, and plans to reinvest up to 50% of the savings from these layoffs into marketing, AI infrastructure, and enhancing talent density. Workforce reductions are expected to take place by October 2026 as Groupon evaluates further cost-reduction and automation strategies related to this project.

(UPDATED May 28, 2026 04:18 UTC)

Groupon's board has approved a restructuring plan that includes significant layoffs, as outlined in a recent filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company is also launching Project Foundry, which aims to integrate AI agents into all aspects of its operations, with expectations to complete related cost-reduction and automation efforts by the end of 2027. Additionally, Groupon plans to reinvest up to half of the savings from these layoffs into marketing, AI infrastructure, and enhancing talent density.

(UPDATED May 28, 2026 01:32 UTC)

A new study from consulting firm Mercer reveals that an overwhelming 99% of executives surveyed anticipate some level of headcount reduction due to AI advancements within the next two years. The 2026 Global Talent Trends report, which included responses from 825 C-suite leaders and 1,650 HR leaders, shows a significant rise in the number of CEOs planning to cut junior roles, jumping from 17% in 2025 to 43% in 2026. Companies like Meta, which recently laid off 8,000 employees and reassigned another 7,000 to AI initiatives, are increasingly citing artificial intelligence as a driving force behind these layoffs.

(UPDATED May 27, 2026 23:20 UTC)

Groupon is set to lay off up to 400 positions globally, which could account for about 23% of its workforce of approximately 1,734 employees. Following the announcement of these layoffs, Groupon's stock price surged more than 9%, closing at $20.69, marking a high for the year. The company plans to reinvest up to 50% of the savings from these layoffs into marketing, AI infrastructure, and enhancing talent density.

(UPDATED May 27, 2026 17:56 UTC)

Groupon's board has approved a restructuring plan that includes significant layoffs, which are expected to save the company between $20 million and $25 million annually, with $10 million to $12 million in savings anticipated for 2026. Following the announcement, Groupon's stock price rose more than 9% to close at $20.69, and while it is up over 17% in 2026, it has seen a decline of around 22% over the past year. The company aims to complete additional cost-reduction and automation actions related to its Project Foundry initiative by the end of 2027, with plans to reinvest up to 50% of the savings in marketing, AI infrastructure, and talent density.

(UPDATED May 27, 2026 16:23 UTC)

Groupon has announced significant layoffs as part of its restructuring plan, with plans to cut up to 400 positions globally, including both employees and contractors, by the end of Q3 2026. These workforce reductions are expected to save the company between $20 million and $25 million annually, with anticipated savings of $10 million to $12 million for 2026 alone. This move is part of Groupon's initiative called "Project Foundry," which aims to make the company "AI-native" by embedding AI agents into every function of its operations.

(UPDATED May 27, 2026 14:54 UTC)

A staggering 99% of CEOs are gearing up for layoffs as advancements in AI reshape the corporate landscape, prompting tech leaders to focus more on integrating these technologies. In response, companies are rethinking their employment strategies and measuring outcomes differently, which is leading to mass layoffs in the tech industry but also creating new opportunities for workers and entrepreneurs. As businesses adapt their practices to align with AI developments, the unintended consequences of these layoffs are opening doors for savvy individuals ready to seize the moment.