US tech layoffs record single-highest month in two years, and more than any other sector — nearly 40,000 get the axe, AI the most cited reason for layoffs
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AI GeneratedUS tech companies announced over 38,000 job cuts in May, the highest in two years and more than any other sector. AI was the primary reason cited for layoffs, with tech firms attributing it to rising memory and component prices. Despite the layoffs, the tech industry still leads in hiring plans for 2026, with AI infrastructure spending by major companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta reaching $725 billion. The impact of AI on job displacement remains debated, with some accusing companies of using AI as a justification for layoffs.