Across nearly every industry, artificial intelligence is no longer just a tool — it’s becoming the worker. From Wall Street to Silicon Valley, major companies are laying off employees and replacing them with AI systems that promise greater efficiency, higher profits, and streamlined operations. But as corporate giants boast about record-breaking productivity, a growing number of employees are waking up to a grim reality: their jobs may be next.
A World Economic Forum report published in early 2025 found that 41% of employers globally plan to reduce their workforce by 2030 due to AI automation. This is not some distant prediction. It’s already underway.
The Kinds of Jobs Being Replaced
AI is hitting hardest where jobs involve repetitive or routine tasks — both physical and cognitive. According to the WEF’s Future of Jobs report, these roles are seeing rapid decline:
- Postal service clerks
- Executive assistants
- Payroll and benefits clerks
- Customer service agents
- Mid-level software engineers
- Human resources personnel
- Graphic designers
Even in traditionally human-centered roles, companies are finding ways to use AI tools to automate communication, design, and support.
Microsoft, IBM, and Others Lead the AI Layoff Charge
Microsoft recently announced it would lay off 6,000 employees, around 3% of its global workforce. The company said the layoffs were part of an effort to “boost efficiency” and reduce bureaucracy. At the same time, Microsoft is investing heavily in AI and new technology platforms.
IBM replaced hundreds of human resources employees with its in-house AI, AskHR, which now handles 94% of routine HR tasks, like managing vacation requests and pay statements. CEO Arvind Krishna said the layoffs made room for hiring more programmers and critical-thinking roles.
Salesforce cut 1,000 jobs earlier this year to make way for its new AI product, Agentforce. CEO Marc Benioff emphasized that using AI is now a “fundamental expectation” for all employees.
CrowdStrike, a major cybersecurity firm, laid off 500 workers as it ramped up AI deployment. CEO George Kurtz called AI a “force multiplier,” explaining that it allows the company to innovate faster, reduce hiring, and improve customer outcomes.
Even Wall Street isn’t safe. Citigroup and JPMorgan are among banks projecting that AI could lead to 200,000 layoffs in the next five years, particularly in middle-office and operations roles. Citigroup noted that more than half of banking jobs are highly susceptible to automation.
What the Numbers Say
- 54% of tech hiring managers expect layoffs due to AI within the next year
- 45% believe employees in AI-replaceable roles are most at risk
- 77% of large companies plan to reskill employees to work with AI
- 69% say AI will create demand for entirely new roles
- 32% of American workers believe AI will reduce job opportunities
- Only 16% say they currently use AI in their own work
Can You Bulletproof Your Career?
Despite the job cuts, AI isn’t just replacing people — it’s also creating new opportunities. But staying employed will require adaptability and new skills.
Here are ways to future-proof your career:
1. Learn AI Basics Now
Free courses from Coursera, Nvidia, and IBM can teach you how AI works and how to use it. Hiring managers now routinely ask, “How familiar are you with AI?”
2. Upskill in Demand Areas
According to surveys, the most desirable skills include:
- AI development
- Cybersecurity
- Data analysis
- Strategic thinking
- Adaptability
3. Shift to Human-Centered Roles
Jobs that involve critical thinking, creativity, and direct human interaction are harder to automate. These include leadership, product development, sales strategy, and high-level consulting.
4. Embrace Continuous Learning
Companies like Shopify and Fiverr have made it clear: if you can’t prove you’re doing something AI can’t, you may not be hired or retained. Lifelong learning is the new job security.
5. Stay Visible and Valuable
Workers on deprioritized projects, remote employees, and underperformers are more likely to be cut. Make your contributions known and measurable.
A Warning for the Future
Many company leaders, like JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon and IBM’s Krishna, say that AI will augment rather than eliminate jobs. But the early results suggest otherwise — at least for now. AI is being used primarily to cut costs and raise profits, not preserve jobs.
For many workers, this feels less like a tech revolution and more like a hostile takeover.
As the Pew Research Center found, more than half of American workers are worried about AI’s long-term impact. That fear is not misplaced. But the outcome isn’t set in stone. Those who adapt, learn, and stay ahead of the curve may not just survive the AI revolution — they might thrive in it.
For everyone else, the time to prepare is now.
