The running list: major tech layoffs in 2026 where employers cited AI

Tech companies are laying off significant portions of their workforces while citing artificial intelligence as a reason for the cuts. The trend accelerated in May 2026, when AI became the most-cited reason for layoffs according to an outplacement firm, and major companies including Oracle, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and others have announced workforce reductions ranging from 5 to 20 percent of their staff. What makes this notable is that many of these companies are simultaneously reporting record revenues and growth, raising questions about whether AI adoption is truly driving the need for smaller workforces or whether other factors are at play. The cuts often involve moving resources toward AI infrastructure and reducing management layers, even as companies report expanding backlogs and business opportunities.