AI triggers over 1 lakh job cuts across global tech giants in 2025
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New Delhi: More than one lakh employees have lost their jobs across 218 technology companies so far in 2025, marking one of the largest layoff waves in recent years.
From Silicon Valley to Bengaluru, major tech firms are aggressively cutting jobs and restructuring operations as they pivot towards artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and profitability following years of rapid expansion during the pandemic.
According to data from Layoffs.fyi, the global tech sector is undergoing a profound transformation as companies double down on AI and cloud innovation while trimming traditional roles.
Intel led the layoff wave with the year’s largest single job cut, eliminating 24,000 positions — about 22% of its global workforce. The cuts span facilities in the United States, Germany, Costa Rica, and Poland as the chipmaker struggles to regain competitiveness against Nvidia and AMD. Intel said the move is part of a major restructuring aimed at improving efficiency and sharpening focus on AI and semiconductor advancements.
Amazon has also downsized significantly, slashing around 14,000 corporate roles across operations, HR, and cloud divisions. CEO Andy Jassy said the move aligns with efforts to “run Amazon like the world’s largest startup,” streamlining operations and redirecting resources toward AI-driven initiatives.
Microsoft has laid off around 9,000 employees this year through multiple rounds, primarily within its product and software divisions. The company said the restructuring will enable it to focus more on advanced AI tools and expand its cloud computing services.
Google and Meta have similarly reduced headcounts, cutting roles in Android, hardware, and AI teams to eliminate overlaps and reduce costs. Oracle, too, has let go of hundreds of employees in the U.S. while ramping up investment in AI-powered cloud platforms.
The ripple effects of the global tech slowdown are being felt in India as well. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the nation’s largest software exporter, reported its steepest-ever quarterly staff decline, cutting around 20,000 jobs in the July–September 2025 quarter. The company attributed the contraction to “AI-led restructuring” and a widening skills mismatch, marking its first major workforce reduction since 2022.
Other Indian IT majors have also slowed hiring as automation and AI integration reduce the need for mid-level professionals. Industry experts note that companies are now prioritising reskilling and redeploying employees in emerging fields such as AI and data analytics.
With IANS inputs