This tracker follows vital layoffs within the tech and IT trade and the financial, technological and geopolitical elements influencing these layoffs.
In 2025, layoffs shifted from correcting for over hiring in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic to adjusting for macroeconomic pressures and elevated AI adoption. Globally, practically 245,000 tech jobs had been minimize in 2025, with about 70% of these layoffs stemming from U.S.-headquartered firms. As well as, AI was the reason for practically 55,000 layoffs within the U.S. in 2025.
On the heels of main headcount reductions by giant tech firms together with Intel, Microsoft, Amazon and Salesforce in 2025, Meta is main 2026 layoffs with a discount of about 1,500 workers from its Actuality Labs division. Whereas Meta says its purpose is to redirect investments towards AI analysis and improvement, AI can also be anticipated to be a major explanation for layoffs this yr. In 2026, 55% of 1,000 U.S. hiring managers surveyed by Resume.org mentioned they anticipate layoffs, and 44% anticipate that AI will probably be a high driver of layoffs.
AI is not the one concern relating to headcount discount. The 2025 job market was shaken by President Donald Trump’s fluctuating tariff insurance policies, a discount of 1 / 4 million jobs throughout the U.S. authorities and a declining base of employees because of immigration coverage. It is also a difficult time for entry-level employees, because the unemployment charge has risen extra for youthful employees than for older workers.
InformationWeek will proceed to watch main tech layoffs — and the elements contributing to them — on this tracker, which will probably be up to date commonly. Remember to examine again.
This is a take a look at the most important tech layoffs up to now:
January 2026 Tech Layoffs
January 12: Meta to chop workforce by 10% in Actuality Labs division
Meta will lay off 10% or about 1,500 workers in its Actuality Labs division, which incorporates 15,000 workers and focuses on metaverse improvement, in response to The New York Occasions. Meta employs a complete of 78,000 folks.
In 2025, CEO Mark Zuckerberg directed executives to scale back their 2026 budgets as Meta more and more focuses on AI analysis, The New York Occasions reported. Meta can also be growing funding in its wearables division, which incorporates sensible glasses, whereas lowering funding in digital actuality merchandise.
Nonetheless, final October, Meta mentioned it might lay off 500 workers in its AI division. Zuckerberg demonstrated frustration that Meta has fallen behind rivals together with OpenAI within the AI race. In February 2025, Meta decreased its headcount by 5% primarily based on efficiency scores.
