Over 1 Lakh Tech Workers Laid Off in 2025 as AI Reshapes Industry; Amazon, Intel, TCS Among Top Firms

According to data from Layoffs.fyi, the IT industry's major layoff wave has gotten worse in 2025, with over 1,000,000 workers losing their employment at 218 organisations so far. After years of overexpansion during the pandemic, tech firms from Bengaluru to Silicon Valley are reducing workers in order to emphasis on cloud services, artificial intelligence, and profitability. Intel announced the biggest downsizing of the year, eliminating 24,000 positions, or around 22% of its global workforce.

As the chipmaker tries to re-establish its competitiveness against Nvidia and AMD, the restructure impacts sites in the United States, Germany, Costa Rica, and Poland. In contrast, Amazon has laid off up to 14,000 corporate employees from its cloud, HR, and operations divisions. In an attempt to "run Amazon like the world's largest startup", CEO Andy Jassy explained the move as a way to streamline operations and raise money for AI initiatives.

Microsoft, Google, Meta All Joining the Bandwagon

As it reallocates resources to AI and cloud innovation, Microsoft has let go of over 9,000 workers this year in several rounds, primarily from its software and product departments. In an effort to maximise spending and combine redundant positions, Google and Meta have both reduced their workforces, laying off members of their hardware, AI, and Android teams.

Oracle has also accelerated its shift to AI-driven cloud platforms and eliminated hundreds of people in its U.S. operations. Around 20,000 positions were cut by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the biggest software exporter in India, during the July–September 2025 quarter, marking the company's steepest-ever quarterly personnel decrease.

The corporation reported its first significant job reduction since 2022, citing "AI-led restructuring" and a widening skills gap. Since automation lowers the need for personnel in mid-level positions, other Indian IT companies are likewise being cautious when it comes to hiring.

Layoffs Fever Spreading to Other Sectors

The tendency of layoffs is not limited to the IT industry. As technology revolutionises its shipping network, UPS is implementing its largest-ever staff reduction, eliminating 48,000 positions. While PwC has deleted 5,600 positions worldwide as a result of integrating AI into tax and audit workflows, Ford intends to eliminate between 8,000 and 13,000 jobs in order to optimise its electric vehicle operations.

Paramount Global, a media company, has recently laid off 2,000 workers due to declining demand for advertising and streaming. The global number, which is among the highest in recent years, shows how automation, cost-cutting, and AI disruption are changing workforces all across the world.