AI-driven layoffs have become a dominant theme of 2025 as thousands of workers find themselves out of a job whilst companies go all-in on artificial intelligence.
In October, tech giant Amazon let go of 14,000 corporate employees citing investments in its biggest bets including AI. In September, Salesforce’s CEO Marc Benioff revealed the company had laid off 4,000 customer support roles, saying that AI can do 50% of the company’s work.
Several companies across the U.S. and Europe have announced similar plans to become leaner and more efficient with AI from Accenture and Lufthansa to Klarna.
The U.S. faced the highest level of layoffs in any October since 2003, with job cuts totaling 153,074, up 183% from September and 175% higher than the same month a year ago, according to a new report from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. It has been the worst year for announced layoffs since 2009.
In this bleak economic environment, professionals who have lost their jobs as a result of AI are likely pondering what their next career move should be; whether to transition into a new industry or profession, or how to beef up their arsenal of skills.
