Something changed in 2026. Companies are no longer blaming layoffs on the economy, post-pandemic corrections, or market downturns. They are blaming AI. And they are doing it while posting record revenue.
The numbers
Through mid-June 2026, 363 layoff events have affected roughly 150,000 tech workers, approximately 974 people per day. Last month alone saw 40,000 cuts. AI has been cited as the primary driver across all industries for three consecutive months (ByteIota).
But here is what makes 2026 different from every previous layoff cycle: these companies are profitable. Many are posting record numbers.
Company
