Corporate reactions: A snapshot of 2025 disappearing jobs
As of now, a total of 52,000 workers have been laid off across major companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. Even more alarming is that 64,000 jobs have been lost in the retail sector over the last four months of 2025.
Published: 04:07 PM,Jul 20,2025 | EDITED : 08:07 PM,Jul 20,2025
2025 is witnessing sweeping layoffs not only in a single sector but across multiple sectors, including technology, retail, creative, entertainment, advertising, manufacturing, logistics, and even government associations. Just yesterday, Microsoft announced a mass layoff of 15,000 workers and has also urged the remaining staff to invest in their own AI skilling. As of now, a total of 52,000 workers have been laid off across major companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. Even more alarming is that 64,000 jobs have been lost in the retail sector over the last four months of 2025. In the retail landscape, major chains have restructured, scaled down, or declared bankruptcy. Most of these changes are driven by economic uncertainty and tariffs; even logistics companies like UPS have announced plans to eliminate 20,000 jobs. In the automotive sector, companies like Volvo and General Motors are reducing production jobs to mitigate the impact of trade tariffs. Even governments are streamlining federal employment.
The scenario clearly indicates a powerful shift and an uncertain storm sweeping across the global workforce. Neither leaders nor governments seem to have the foresight for the ramifications of the proliferation of AI to such an extent that the very purpose of human existence becomes questionable. More importantly, we choose to believe that life, security, intelligence, and privacy can be entrusted to machines.
An alarming development is that approximately 50% of major employers have decided to freeze hiring for the remainder of the year. The top consulting companies, such as McKinsey, Bain, and BCG, have also reduced hiring for support and non-core jobs. These companies have also frozen hiring for junior and entry-level positions, such as accountants. Now, AI-axe has fallen onto accountancy roles, and automation is often preferred over human potential. Existing employers also face the brunt of accelerated technological advancements, with more stringent performance reviews and increased voluntary exit packages. Consultancy companies have also reduced their hiring of consultants and are delaying the onboarding of recruits by months.
A paradigm shift is happening globally, drastically altering work patterns. The key determinants of this fundamental, evolving structural change are the adoption of AI, automation, economic uncertainty, geopolitical escalations, and trade wars. The large-scale layoffs that are making newspaper headlines almost daily will immediately reduce discretionary spending. The demand for products and services will eventually lead to a cascading economic slowdown. Many entrepreneurs and leaders I have recently spoken to have stated that the market is moving towards a recession, although a recession has not been officially announced by the government. Uncertainty is pausing business investments in innovation and expansion, which will further dampen economic recovery. The growing adoption of AI automation raises serious questions about the career progression of students and their intent to make substantial investments in education. Anxiety will also begin to infiltrate the structural framework of educational institutions, particularly in the higher education sector, as they face the challenge of keeping pace with the rapid pace of technological developments and aligning them with the program curriculum.
The world stands at a crucial crossroads, where hiring freezes, mass layoffs, and a lack of alternative work options will not only create economic unrest but also lead to social instability. It will shake the foundations of consumer economics. We are a generation that questions the nuclear capabilities of countries, but we should also understand the implications and ramifications of extensive investments in AI advancement. Suppose world leaders and governments do not focus on creating purposeful employment opportunities for humans. In that case, the world will experience a period of sustained disruptions, which will not only affect businesses but also society as a whole.
The scenario clearly indicates a powerful shift and an uncertain storm sweeping across the global workforce. Neither leaders nor governments seem to have the foresight for the ramifications of the proliferation of AI to such an extent that the very purpose of human existence becomes questionable. More importantly, we choose to believe that life, security, intelligence, and privacy can be entrusted to machines.
An alarming development is that approximately 50% of major employers have decided to freeze hiring for the remainder of the year. The top consulting companies, such as McKinsey, Bain, and BCG, have also reduced hiring for support and non-core jobs. These companies have also frozen hiring for junior and entry-level positions, such as accountants. Now, AI-axe has fallen onto accountancy roles, and automation is often preferred over human potential. Existing employers also face the brunt of accelerated technological advancements, with more stringent performance reviews and increased voluntary exit packages. Consultancy companies have also reduced their hiring of consultants and are delaying the onboarding of recruits by months.
A paradigm shift is happening globally, drastically altering work patterns. The key determinants of this fundamental, evolving structural change are the adoption of AI, automation, economic uncertainty, geopolitical escalations, and trade wars. The large-scale layoffs that are making newspaper headlines almost daily will immediately reduce discretionary spending. The demand for products and services will eventually lead to a cascading economic slowdown. Many entrepreneurs and leaders I have recently spoken to have stated that the market is moving towards a recession, although a recession has not been officially announced by the government. Uncertainty is pausing business investments in innovation and expansion, which will further dampen economic recovery. The growing adoption of AI automation raises serious questions about the career progression of students and their intent to make substantial investments in education. Anxiety will also begin to infiltrate the structural framework of educational institutions, particularly in the higher education sector, as they face the challenge of keeping pace with the rapid pace of technological developments and aligning them with the program curriculum.
The world stands at a crucial crossroads, where hiring freezes, mass layoffs, and a lack of alternative work options will not only create economic unrest but also lead to social instability. It will shake the foundations of consumer economics. We are a generation that questions the nuclear capabilities of countries, but we should also understand the implications and ramifications of extensive investments in AI advancement. Suppose world leaders and governments do not focus on creating purposeful employment opportunities for humans. In that case, the world will experience a period of sustained disruptions, which will not only affect businesses but also society as a whole.