The wave of layoffs in the global technology sector continues unabated in 2026. Since the beginning of 2026, 78,557 workers have already lost their jobs worldwide.
March was particularly turbulent, with more than 33,000 layoffs, the highest number in a single month since July of 2025. What began as a post-pandemic correction now appears to have turned into a structural shift driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and automation.
Research by RationalFX, based on data from layoff tracker TrueUp and technology news provider TechCrunch, among others, shows that the United States is being hit the hardest. Approximately 76.7% of all layoffs (59,510 jobs) occurred in the United States-based companies. Austin, Texas, has emerged the unexpected epicenter of global tech layoffs, largely due to massive restructuring at Oracle.
It is pertinent to note that nearly half of all layoffs in 2026 (38,279 jobs) are directly linked to the adoption of AI and automation.
Companies are not necessarily reorganizing because things are going badly — Oracle recently reported a 95% jump in net income to $6.13 billion — but to free up the cash flow needed to fund its data centre buildout. Roles previously performed by humans are now considered “automatable.”
If the current pace continues, the tech sector is heading for more than 318,000 layoffs for the whole of 2026. That would far exceed 2025’s 245,000 layoffs.
Although overall employment is shrinking, the demand for AI and machine learning specialists continues to rise, pointing to an industry that is consolidating around a narrower and more specialised set of skills.
