Tech giants have laid off more than 128,000 employees in 2026

Since the beginning of 2026, tech companies have laid off over 128,500 employees, surpassing the total figures from the previous year. According to Business Standard, 299 companies have announced staff reductions, including major players like Oracle, Amazon, Dell, Meta, and Microsoft. The primary drivers for these cuts include business optimization, cost reduction, and correcting the over-expansion that occurred during the pandemic years. Experts estimate that only 25-33% of these layoffs are directly linked to the implementation of artificial intelligence. While companies aim to save billions of dollars, they are simultaneously increasing investments in AI infrastructure and data centers. Despite the job losses, analysts note that some positions may be restored in the future as the market adapts to new automation conditions.