The Cuts That Started It All: 2023-2024 Roundup

Every major AI-attributed layoff from IBM's first announcement through Google's 12,000 restructuring — the full timeline.

Two Years of AI Cuts

2023: The Opening Salvo

May 2023 — IBM pauses hiring for 7,800 back-office roles. CEO Krishna: "direct outcome of automation."

May 2023 — BT Group announces 55,000 cuts by decade's end. 10,000 directly replaced by AI.

May 2023 — Chegg stock crashes after CEO admits ChatGPT is eating homework help. 45% workforce eventually cut.

June 2023 — Duolingo lays off 10% of contractors. AI handles translations.

Nov 2023 — SAP restructures 8,000 roles around AI priorities.

Challenger Gray tally for 2023: ~24,000 AI-attributed cuts. Likely a massive undercount.

2024: The Flood

Jan 2024 — Google lays off 12,000+ in AI-first restructuring.

Feb 2024 — Dell cuts 10,000+ as AI server demand reshapes the business.

Q1 2024 — Samsung eliminates 10,000 globally. PayPal cuts 2,500.

Q2 2024 — Citigroup's AI-enabled restructuring hits 10,000+ middle/back office roles.

Q3-Q4 2024 — Government sector joins: UK Civil Service (-10,000), Canada (-40,000 planned).

Q4 2024 — Intel cuts 10,000+ to fund AI chip pivot. Accenture cuts 10,000+ while scaling AI practice.

Full-year 2024 core estimate: ~110,000 AI-attributed cuts. Triple the 2023 figure.

The Trend Line

Every quarter in this period showed acceleration. No major sector was immune. And the 2025 figures were already tracking higher within weeks of the new year.