As the year 2026 comes to a close, the tech industry is bracing for the impact of significant layoffs at major players. In reverse chronological order, here’s a look at the bigger companies that have announced substantial job cuts, with AI as a stated factor.

Airbnb

December 15: Airbnb laid off around 500 employees, citing a shift in focus towards ‘long-term growth’ and the need to adapt to changing market conditions. The company emphasized its commitment to innovation and artificial intelligence, stating that the layoffs were necessary to ensure its long-term success.

Amazon

November 17: Amazon announced it would be cutting around 18,000 jobs across its various businesses, including its cloud computing division. The company cited a need to ‘streamline’ its operations and invest in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.

Square

October 25: Square laid off approximately 230 employees, citing the need to adapt to an increasingly competitive market and shift its focus towards ‘long-term growth’. The company emphasized its commitment to innovation and AI-powered solutions.

Microsoft

September 20: Microsoft announced it would be cutting around 10,000 jobs across its various businesses, citing a need to ‘realize the power of our software’ and invest in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.