The tech industry in 2026 is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. Despite major companies reporting record-breaking revenue figures in their financial reports, a "wave of layoffs" triggered by artificial intelligence is also taking place simultaneously. According to statistics, globally, around 120,000 jobs have been lost in the tech sector since 2026.

In this transformation, AI is no longer just a growth engine but has become the "conductor" for optimizing organizational structures. Microsoft recently announced layoffs of approximately 4,800 people, although the official statement claimed that these layoffs were not directly caused by AI, it acknowledged that AI has deeply changed work processes, with many daily tasks already automated. This trend is particularly evident at Oracle: the company cut 21,000 employees over the past year, a reduction of 13%, and explicitly stated in documents that the deployment of AI technology directly led to a decrease in job demand.

The logic behind corporate layoffs is becoming increasingly diverse. Some companies choose to "trim" their workforce to free up funds; GitLab laid off 350 people to focus resources on building AI infrastructure. Cisco, despite exceeding profit expectations, laid off 4,000 people to reorganize resources in chip, security, and AI areas. Other companies aim for a more flat organizational structure; Coinbase achieved a flatter structure through layoffs and implemented a "one-person team" model, believing that with AI, engineers' efficiency has made a significant leap forward.

At the same time, large tech companies are showing a clear "AI orientation" in talent adjustments. Meta laid off 8,000 people while transferring 7,000 employees to AI-related departments. IBM plans to triple the number of hires for entry-level AI and hybrid cloud positions in the United States, while many traditional back-office and human resources roles are gradually being replaced by AI agents.

From Google, Amazon, Dell, and Block to even traditional manufacturing giants like General Motors, none have been spared. The reasons for layoffs are largely similar: streamlining management levels, eliminating bureaucracy, and improving operational efficiency. Layoffs involving thousands of people have become a cold footnote in the tech industry—a reminder that in this era where AI evolves faster than expected, the rules of the workplace are being completely rewritten. For those in the tech field, this is undoubtedly a serious moment to re-examine their own value and skill sets.