From Fortune Magazine:

UPS CEO Carol Tomé claimed that new technologies including AI contributed to the company’s largest layoffs in history, with machine learning decreasing the need for guidance. Despite layoffs, a UPS spokesperson said AI is not replacing workers. BlackRock cited “new technologies” but not AI specifically as a cause for 600 dismissals, and expects to hire more staff. Thousands of jobs have been cut due to AI, but the true count is unknown.

IBM doesn’t have a hiring freeze in place after reports of a pause, and many companies are expected to follow suit quietly, reducing headcount without a public announcement. Most AI-related layoffs have been in tech, with some companies tying AI to cuts or hiring freezes. However, companies like Klarna refuse to recruit as they find certain tasks take less time and require fewer employees due to AI, though data on the cuts is unconfirmed. Similarly, Duolingo chose not to renew 10% of its contractors without having a hiring freeze in place, and offers a variety of roles. Finally, 75% of Fortune 500 chief human resources officers said they see AI replacing jobs in their company in the next three years.



Read more: AI-related layoffs number at least 4,600 since May: outplacement firm