Archive · 8 Aug 2026
Global Tech Sector Records Over 1.63 Lakh Layoffs in 2026
In 2026, technology companies all over the world let go of a huge number of workers — more than 163,000 people.
Many of those job cuts, over 91,000 of them, are linked to artificial intelligence, or AI.
Companies are changing their plans to focus on AI, and that means some jobs are going away.
A report from a research company called TradingPlatforms counted all of these layoffs.
It found that cloud and business software companies lost the most jobs, followed by online shopping and computer services companies.
Oracle let go of the most workers of any tech company, cutting more than 25,000 jobs in several rounds.
Cisco cut 4,000 jobs and plans to spend about $1 billion on its AI plans.
Some other companies, like Monday.com and ServiceNow, are also building new AI products while trimming staff.
Interestingly, when companies announced their job cuts, their stock prices went up.
Investors see big layoffs as a sign that companies are being careful with money, as long as they come with a plan to focus on AI.
Global technology companies announced 163,427 layoffs since the start of 2026, with AI cited as a factor in 91,215 of those job cuts.
Cloud and SaaS was the hardest-hit subsector with 37,492 layoffs, followed by e-commerce and marketplaces (22,633), IT services (16,756), and social media (13,592).
Oracle reduced its workforce most aggressively in 2026, cutting 25,254 roles, with a sharp escalation in March affecting employees across the United States, India, Canada, and Mexico.
Cisco cut 4,000 positions, the largest number among US-based enterprise companies, and said roughly $1 billion in restructuring costs would go toward its AI strategy.
Investors rewarded the cuts, with Cisco shares jumping 17% in after-hours trading, Monday.com rising 2.3%, and ServiceNow climbing roughly 9% over the following week.
Monday.com announced plans on July 22 to cut about 20% of its global workforce, roughly 620 employees, as it restructured around its AI Work Platform.
- Who
- Global technology companies including Oracle, Cisco, Monday.com, OpenText, ServiceNow, Amdocs, and Autodesk, with data compiled by TradingPlatforms.
- What
- Technology companies announced 163,427 layoffs since the start of 2026, with AI cited as a factor in 91,215 of the job cuts.
- When
- Since the start of 2026, through the report's publication covering events such as OpenText's July 2026 cuts and Monday.com's July 22 announcement.
- Where
- Globally, concentrated in the United States, with significant cuts in India, Israel, Singapore, Canada, and Mexico.
- Why
- Companies are restructuring around AI strategies and AI-related products, with investors viewing layoffs paired with AI pivots as signs of discipline.
- Total 2026 tech layoffs
- 163,427
- Layoffs with AI cited as factor
- 91,215
- Most affected subsector
- Cloud and SaaS (37,492 layoffs)
- Biggest job cutter
- Oracle (25,254 roles)
- Largest US enterprise software cuts
- Cisco (4,000 roles)
- Monday.com workforce reduction
- ~20% (~620 employees)
- OpenText workforce reduction
- ~2% (~400 employees)
- Report source
- TradingPlatforms