Is ‘AI-washing’ behind new wave of tech layoffs?
A company might lay people off for any number of reasons: It didn’t meet financial targets. It overhired. It was rocked by tariffs, or the loss of a big client. But lately, many companies are highlighting a new factor: artificial intelligence.
Executives, saying they anticipate huge changes from the technology, are making cuts now. AI was cited in the announcements of more than 50,000 layoffs in 2025, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a research firm.
