The tech industry is facing a massive shakeup in 2025 with over 62,000 jobs eliminated worldwide. Giants like Microsoft, Intel, Meta, Google, and Amazon are leading the charge, restructuring their workforce amid the rapid rise of AI and automation. The numbers are staggering, and the impact is widespread.
According to reports from Layoffs.Fyi, a total of 141 tech companies have downsized this year. The reasons vary from cost-cutting to shifting business priorities, but one thing is clear: no role is entirely safe. Whether you’re in engineering, marketing, or product development, the wave of layoffs is hitting hard.
Microsoft trimmed 3% of its workforce, letting go of around 6,500 employees. Meta took a more targeted approach, cutting 5% of its staff—predominantly low-performing personnel. Intel, however, made the most drastic move with plans to eliminate 22,000 jobs starting in July 2025. These cuts represent a significant shift in how tech companies operate.
But it’s not just the big names feeling the pressure. Startups and mid-sized firms are also feeling the squeeze. WordPress owner Automattic laid off 16% of its employees, while Amazon-owned Blue Origin saw 1,000 jobs disappear. Even Starbucks, a company not typically associated with tech, cut 1,000 positions as part of its broader restructuring.
AI and automation are often cited as the driving forces behind these layoffs. Companies are prioritizing engineers skilled in AI, leaving many traditional roles vulnerable. Google, for example, reorganized its global business unit, resulting in hundreds of job losses. Amazon’s Alexa and Echo divisions weren’t spared either, with 100 employees let go.
The automotive sector hasn’t been immune to these shifts. Nissan slashed 20,000 jobs, Volkswagen announced 35,000 cuts by 2030, and Porsche reduced its workforce by 3,900. Even autonomous vehicle company Cruise laid off half its staff and shut down operations entirely.
These workforce reductions are reshaping the industry at an unprecedented pace. While some companies frame these moves as necessary restructuring, employees are left navigating an increasingly uncertain job market. The rise of AI may be inevitable, but its human cost is becoming harder to ignore.
