US Layoffs Skyrocket to Highest Level Since Pandemic AI Blamed for 40% of Cuts (www.ibtimes.co.uk)

US layoffs have reached their highest level for May since the pandemic, with over 97,000 job cuts reported, 40% of which are attributed to artificial intelligence. This spike, amounting to 87,714 job cuts linked to AI in just the first five months of 2026, raises significant questions about the true role of AI in reshaping the labor market. While some job losses are clearly due to automation, experts caution that not all layoffs labeled as AI-related are directly caused by the technology. Instead, they may stem from broader strategic shifts or cost-cutting pressures within companies. The trend is particularly pronounced among major tech firms, which are slashing jobs even as they invest heavily in AI development. Oracle has reduced its workforce by approximately 21,000, while Google has seen substantial cuts as well. This contradictory behavior underscores a complex relationship between automation and employment, with many workers feeling anxious about the long-term implications of AI on job security. The ongoing debate about whether AI is merely a scapegoat for deeper economic issues complicates the narrative, leaving many to wonder how this convergence of layoffs and technological advancement will shape the workforce landscape moving forward.