Three ways AI can get you laid off

Laid-off workers often ask who or what is to blame, and AI is frequently the prime suspect. Jacob Zinkula has spoken to dozens of people trying to piece together why they were let go. A clearer explanation helps plan a next move, especially after a January that saw more layoffs than any January since 2009.

Many companies are reluctant to say AI drove their cuts. When Amazon made a round of deep layoffs last fall, CEO Andy Jassy described them as about "culture," not AI or costs. AI appears to influence layoffs in three main ways. First, it can directly replace a job — the most obvious outcome but also the least common, since most roles still require human interaction.

Second, AI can make a job much easier; it carries a lot of the load, letting people accomplish more with less, which can give employers an opportunity to reduce headcount even when the role remains necessary. Third, companies may cut positions to pay for AI investments; those not driving strong revenue are most at risk in that scenario.

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