The wave of tech layoffs that surged in 2024 continues to ripple through 2025. According to Layoffs.fyi, more than 22,000 tech workers have lost their jobs this year so far, with February alone seeing a staggering 16,084 layoffs.

These job cuts come amid a major shift towards automation and AI. Companies across the spectrum are restructuring operations to embrace AI-driven models, seeking to become leaner and more efficient, and scaling back manual roles.

Layoffs span early-stage startups to global giants, with automation, economic uncertainty, and operational efficiency cited as key drivers.

Major Company Layoffs

• Microsoft has cut over 6,500 jobs in May, adding to prior reductions, totaling around 9,000 layoffs this year (~4% of its global workforce).
• Intel announced plans in April to eliminate over 21,000 roles (~20% of workforce), including expanded cuts in Oregon and winding down its auto business.
• Amazon, Google, Meta, and Salesforce have all conducted multiple rounds of layoffs across engineering, AI, and support teams.
• In September, Salesforce cut another 262 jobs in San Francisco, amid AI-driven operational changes.
• Oracle executed 355 layoffs across Seattle and San Francisco following August reductions.
• Rivian laid off 200 employees in September, reacting to the expiration of federal EV tax credits.

Startups and Mid-Size Firms Impacted

• Fiverr laid off ~250 employees (~30% workforce) to pivot to an AI-native business model.
• ZipRecruiter closed its Tel Aviv R&D center, cutting 80 jobs amid a tough labor market.
• xAI cut roughly 500 data annotators (~33% of the team) to focus on specialist AI roles.
• Yotpo, an Israeli unicorn, laid off 200 employees (~34% of workforce) after shutting down email and SMS marketing.
• GupShup laid off over 100 employees, following an earlier round, as it prepares for IPO.
• Startups like Cushion, Pandion, Beam, HerMD, and Skybox Security shut down operations entirely.
• Acquisitions led to layoffs too, e.g., Brightcove by Bending Spoons and Otorio by Armis cut significant portions of their teams post-merger.

Month-by-Month Breakdown (Jan-Sept 2025)

September 2025

• Just Eat: ~450 jobs cut globally due to automation and AI adoption.
• Fiverr: ~250 layoffs (~30% workforce) shifting to AI focus.
• ZipRecruiter: Closed Tel Aviv center, 80 jobs lost.
• GupShup: 100+ layoffs, prepping for IPO.
• xAI: Cut 500 data annotators, pivoting to specialist AI roles.
• Rivian: 200 layoffs amid EV tax credit changes.
• Oracle: 355 layoffs across Seattle and SF.
• Salesforce: 262 layoffs in San Francisco.

August 2025

• Cisco: 221 layoffs across CA offices.
• Restaurant365: 100 layoffs (~9%).
• Oracle: 262 layoffs planned in Santa Clara and Seattle.
• F5: 106 layoffs in Washington.
• Peloton: 6% workforce reduction.
• Kaltura: 70 layoffs (10% staff).
• Yotpo: 200 layoffs (34%).
• Windsurf: 30 layoffs; buyouts offered to others.
• Wondery: 100 layoffs amid Amazon restructuring.

July 2025

• Atlassian: 150 customer service layoffs.
• Consensys: 47 layoffs (~7%).
• Scale AI: 200 layoffs (~14%), 500 contractors cut.
• Lenovo: 100+ U.S. layoffs (~3% workforce).
• Intel: 2,400 layoffs in Oregon.
• Indeed + Glassdoor: ~1,300 layoffs combined.
• Microsoft: 9,000 layoffs globally.
• ByteDance: 65 layoffs in Bellevue.

June 2025

• TomTom: 300 layoffs (10%) amid AI shift.
• Rivian: 140 layoffs (~1%).
• Bumble: 240 layoffs (30%).
• Klue: 85 layoffs (40%).
• Google: Smart TV division cut 25%.
• Intel: Planning 15-20% cuts in Foundry division.
• Playtika: 90 layoffs.
• Airtime: 25 layoffs.
• Microsoft: Continued layoffs after May cuts.

Additional Context

• Layoff Drivers: AI automation, restructuring for efficiency, economic headwinds.
• Company Size Impact: Startups to tech giants; early-stage firms shutting down vs. mature firms streamlining.
• Sector Focus: AI, engineering, customer service, R&D most affected.
• Regional Notes: Significant layoffs in U.S., Israel, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

PHOTO: FREEPIK

This article was created with AI assistance.