Oracle Sheds 21,000 Jobs as It Sharpens Focus on AI

Oracle is under financial pressure because of an expensive build-out of AI data centres for customers such as OpenAI. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

AI is the leading reason companies have cited for job cuts so far this year—and the tech industry is the biggest culprit.

It's using AI internally, and spending money to support AI everywhere else.

A running look — in reverse chronological order — at the bigger tech companies that have announced significant layoffs this year with AI as a stated factor.

Oracle cut 21,000 jobs in fiscal 2026, its largest-ever reduction, as it spends up to $2.1 billion restructuring around AI while revenue grows 22%

Oracle ended fiscal 2026 with roughly 21,000 fewer staff, about 13% of its workforce, as it funnels cash into an AI data-centre buildout.

By Fabiana Negrin Ochoa and Kimberley Kao

Software giant Oracle axed around 21,000 roles in the last year as the US tech giant turbocharged its AI adoption plans – even as markets continue to question the rapid…

That’s a workforce reduction of about 13 percent over the last 12 months, according to a disclosure filed Monday. And Oracle is hardly alone in at least partially attributing the…

"The adoption and deployment of AI technologies across our operations have resulted, and may continue to result, in reductions to our workforce," Oracle said.

Oracle Sheds 21,000 Jobs as It Sharpens Focus on AI

Oracle is in the spotlight Tuesday after shedding 21,000 jobs, nearly 13% of workforce, citing AI adoption.

The company claims the restructuring cost them almost $2 billion

"Our periodic workforce restructurings and reorganizations can be disruptive."

The eliminations led to $1.8 billion in severance payments and other restructuring costs for Oracle, significantly higher than the $374 million restructuring costs it faced in…

Oracle stock was lower after the company disclosed a 2026 headcount of 141,000, down by 21,000 from a year earlier after a round of layoffs.

Oracle Sheds 21,000 Jobs as It Sharpens Focus on AI