NATIONAL: Tech sector layoffs surpass one lakh mark
The technology sector worldwide is navigating turbulent waters, with over 112,700 employees let go from 218 companies so far this year, according to tracking site Layoffs.fyi.
This surge reflects a harsh recalibration, as firms grapple with post-pandemic overstaffing and pivot aggressively toward artificial intelligence.
While innovation promises efficiency, it is reshaping careers in ways that leave many wondering about the human cost of progress.
Amazon’s Historic Purge
E-commerce powerhouse Amazon is set to execute its largest workforce reduction ever, targeting 30,000 positions across corporate functions like operations, human resources, devices, and Amazon Web Services.
CEO Andy Jassy framed the moves as essential for agility, likening the company to the world’s biggest startup while channeling resources into AI advancements.
These cuts, kicking off with 14,000 notices in late October, aim to trim bureaucracy and fuel long-term growth.
Employees affected receive 90 days to seek internal roles, a gesture amid broader industry upheaval.
Intel and TCS Lead Deep Cuts
Semiconductor leader Intel announced plans to slash 24,000 jobs, about 22 percent of its global staff, amid slumping PC demand and fierce rivalry from Nvidia and AMD.
The restructuring seeks to streamline costs and refocus on high-potential areas like AI chips, with initial waves hitting U.S. operations hard.
Meanwhile, India’s Tata Consultancy Services executed its steepest quarterly trim, releasing 19,755 workers through September 2025, dropping headcount below 600,000 for the first time since 2022.
Chief human resources officer Sudeep Kunnumal cited skill gaps in mid- and senior roles, driven by AI automation demands.
AI Reshapes Broader Rosters
Consulting giant Accenture shed thousands globally by mid-October, prioritizing AI expertise over traditional consulting amid client shifts toward digital tools.
The reductions, part of a larger pivot, underscore how even service providers must evolve or face obsolescence.
Microsoft trimmed 9,000 positions to bolster AI and cloud investments, while Salesforce axed 4,000 customer support jobs, with CEO Marc Benioff noting AI now handles half of interactions.
Cisco, Google, Meta, and Oracle followed suit, each citing automation as a key factor in their thousands-strong layoffs.
Beyond Tech: Ripple Effects
The downsizing wave extends to logistics and manufacturing, with UPS eliminating 48,000 roles to integrate automation and Ford cutting 13,000 as it accelerates electric vehicle production.
Media firm Paramount Global reduced 2,000 staff, highlighting how AI tools are infiltrating diverse sectors.
Executives point to pandemic-era hiring sprees and economic slowdowns as catalysts, but the AI boom accelerates the pace.
Billions poured into machine learning contrast sharply with the exodus of routine roles, prompting debates on reskilling needs.
Key Layoff Highlights in 2025
- Amazon: 30,000 jobs, focused on corporate efficiency and AI shift.
- Intel: 24,000 roles, targeting cost savings in chip manufacturing.
- TCS: 19,755 cuts, emphasizing mid-level AI realignment.
- UPS: 48,000 positions, driven by logistics automation.
- Accenture: Thousands laid off, prioritizing generative AI services.
- Microsoft: 9,000 reductions, boosting cloud and AI budgets.
- Ford: 13,000 jobs, tied to EV transition.
- Salesforce: 4,000 support roles, replaced by AI chat agents.
- Cisco: 4,250 employees, refocusing on cybersecurity.
- Meta: 4,320 cuts, streamlining AI research teams.
As 2025 draws to a close, these figures paint a sector in flux, where technological leaps demand tough choices.
For workers, the message is clear: adaptability in AI skills could be the new job security.