Overview
- New Challenger data shows 60,620 U.S. job cuts in March and 15,341 were attributed to artificial intelligence, up to 25% from about 10% in February.
- Technology employers announced 18,720 cuts in March and 52,050 in the first quarter, the sector’s worst year-to-date point since 2023.
- Oracle’s latest restructuring includes reported global cuts of up to 30,000 with about 12,000 in India, and WARN filings list 491 roles in Seattle and 539 in Kansas City across software, product and program jobs.
- Challenger’s Andy Challenger said companies are moving budgets into AI and that some coding functions can be replaced, while other experts argue many layoffs reflect reinvestment rather than direct AI substitution.
- Personal accounts describe sudden, automated termination emails and locked systems, and analysts urge workers to upskill for AI-heavy roles as transportation and healthcare also post record first-quarter cuts.