New Delhi, April 17 (NationPress) The wave of global tech layoffs is intensifying in 2026, with over 80,000 jobs already eliminated in the first quarter alone. Projections indicate that total job losses could surpass 300,000 this year, primarily driven by major firms such as Oracle, Amazon, and Meta, as highlighted in a recent report.

The analysis from TradingPlatforms reveals that this trend is a continuation of a larger post-pandemic adjustment, with more than one million tech jobs lost worldwide since 2021. This recalibration in hiring practices follows the rapid expansion witnessed during the Covid pandemic.

Artificial intelligence and automation are playing pivotal roles in this shift, with nearly 50% of layoffs in 2026 associated with restructuring related to AI technologies.

The United States is currently the most affected market, accounting for approximately 77% of global layoffs this year, which translates to over 61,000 job cuts across 62 companies.

Among the companies leading in layoffs, Oracle has reported the highest figures, eliminating more than 25,000 positions as part of a significant restructuring aimed at enhancing its AI infrastructure.

Following Oracle, Amazon has announced around 16,000 job cuts in its efforts to streamline operations and improve efficiency. Meanwhile, Meta, the parent company of prominent social media platforms, has reduced its workforce by approximately 2,400 roles.

Outside the US, layoffs have been somewhat dispersed. Australia experienced around 4,450 job cuts, while various European nations, including Austria, Sweden, and the Netherlands, faced notable reductions due to challenges in the semiconductor, telecom, and IT service sectors.

In Asia, India has reported over 2,000 layoffs, followed by Israel and Singapore, with cuts affecting AI startups, e-commerce entities, and cybersecurity firms.

In terms of sectors, cloud computing and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) companies have seen the largest reductions, with around 28,000 layoffs, trailed by e-commerce firms with nearly 19,000 job cuts.

The report emphasizes that firms are increasingly restructuring to focus on AI investments, streamline expenses, and boost operational efficiency, even as many continue to showcase robust financial results.

According to the findings, “AI is no longer merely a future investment; it has become a current catalyst for organizational restructuring and workforce decisions.” The analysis also points out that numerous layoffs appear to be proactive cost-cutting strategies aimed at funding AI infrastructure, rather than a direct outcome of large-scale automation replacing jobs.