Tech Layoffs Surpass 80,000 in Early 2026 as Firms Pivot to AI

The US technology sector is undergoing what experts call the "Great Realignment," with more than 80,000 jobs cut in the first 40 days of 2026. Giants like Salesforce and Block Inc. are the latest to announce reductions, collectively shedding thousands of roles in marketing, middle management, and product development.

Unlike the post-pandemic corrections of previous years, these cuts are explicitly tied to the automation of work. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff noted that the rise of "AI agents" is reducing the need for traditional customer support teams, while new hiring is being redirected almost exclusively toward generative AI and autonomous systems.