Layoff announcements in the US rose in March, led by the technology sector as AI investment pushes leaner staffing. Tech firms announced 18,720 cuts, up over 24% year on year, bringing first-quarter layoffs to more than 52,000, the highest since 2023, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Total job cuts reached 60,620, up over 25% from February, with AI accounting for about a quarter as companies shift budgets toward automation.

2026-04-02

Layoff announcements in the US rose in March, led by the technology sector as AI investment pushes leaner staffing. Tech firms announced 18,720 cuts, up over 24% year on year, bringing first-quarter layoffs to more than 52,000, the highest since 2023, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Total job cuts reached 60,620, up over 25% from February, with AI accounting for about a quarter as companies shift budgets toward automation.