IBM’s decision to let go of about 8,000 employees from its human resources unit has rippled across the globe, capturing the sense of anxiety that now defines the tech industry.
This shift, sparked in large part by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, highlights how companies are reorienting their focus and resources. Executives at Microsoft, for example, recently took the tough call to eliminate more than 6,000 jobs despite delivering outstanding financial results, booking $70.1 billion in revenue and $25.8 billion in net profit for a single quarter.
Now, jobs that once seemed vital are on the chopping block, especially as Microsoft’s massive $80 billion commitment to AI infrastructure comes to fruition. The waves crashing over the tech sector are reshaping roles at breakneck speed, pushing aside conventional software jobs in favor of AI, cloud, and cybersecurity projects.
While the world digests these numbers, uncertainty churns through workers in India, the United States, and far beyond, who wonder what comes next.
Survival in an AI-Transformed Workplace
Studies project that by 2027, as many as 83 million positions worldwide could vanish due to automation, while only 69 million new ones are expected to emerge, making for a striking net loss. Traditional roles in legal, financial, and manufacturing sectors are particularly at risk as automation tools become more widespread.
Indian startups are already feeling the impact, with more than 3,600 people losing their jobs in just the opening months of 2025. Ola Electric, a high-profile player, trimmed 1,000 workers after introducing automation into daily operations. Meanwhile, the country’s foundational IT sector has axed over 50,000 positions this year alone, primarily among entry-level developers and testers.
This pattern extends well beyond India’s borders. In the United States, tech titans like Google and Meta continue to reduce their staff counts, regardless of specialization or seniority. Meta’s restructuring plan for 2025 includes the loss of 3,600 more jobs.
What stands out is the harsh spotlight AI is casting on white-collar workers. Up to half of all such positions in India could cease to exist, leaving an entire generation wondering if their livelihoods may disappear. It is not just tech: customer service, logistics, and production jobs are changing too as low-skill and repetitive roles are taken over by increasingly smart machines.
Yet, amid all the churn, opportunities are taking root. India’s youth—over 370 million strong—could leverage their digital savviness to drive a new wave of innovation, provided they acquire the right skills. Emerging fields like machine learning, data science, and AI development are becoming the new frontier for ambitious workers.
Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang captured the moment perfectly. “You are not going to lose your job to AI, but you are going to lose your job to somebody who uses AI,” he said.
The hope is that through comprehensive reskilling, relentless investment in education, and forward-looking policy, communities can ride the unpredictable currents of AI rather than be swept away. If India can harness its youthful energy and digital momentum, it may well become the world’s next economic powerhouse, not just despite AI disruption but because of it, as seen in IBM’s recent layoffs caused by AI-driven restructuring and the wider trend of AI reducing entry-level tech jobs.
