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2026 tech layoffs reach 45,000 in March

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Re: 2026 tech layoffs reach 45,000 in March

#41

Post by CoastalCoder »

win311fwg wrote: post #20
ttul wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s the business cycle, mostly. During the pandemic, low interest rates drove a boom in risk investing that flowed downhill into tech company balance sheets. Of course everyone used the money to hire lots of developers and engineers - probably more than were needed for the business opportunity they were exploiting. I think AI is being used as an excuse for layoffs rather than the cause. Companies don’t have the cash…

There is never just one cause, but I do think AI is one of them. Not in some AI "dey took er jerbs" kind of way, but because businesses are turning their investment focus towards AI-related ventures, like building data centres, and away from investments that require tech workers. Non-residential construction jobs, for example, have surged.

> Not in some AI "dey took er jerbs" kind of way

FWIW, I read this as equating a particular regional accent with stupidity.

I imagine it wasn't intentional, but it's something to consider.

Re: 2026 tech layoffs reach 45,000 in March

#43

Post by paxys »

PlanksVariable wrote: post #5
bearjaws wrote: post #2

And Meta has another round coming, soon the only thing left at the company will be data center staff. Apparently 20% to be laid off soon. https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/meta-planning...

Surprised it took this long. I feel bad for the employees, but I can’t remember the last success they had. Metaverse, VR, throwing absurd money at AI and for what?

Their last success was acquiring Instagram in 2012. Every new effort since then has been hemorrhaging money. They get away with it because they have two limitless money faucets in Facebook and Instagram, but their product strategy as a whole has been a disaster.

Re: 2026 tech layoffs reach 45,000 in March

#45

Post by alexanderchr »

jjmarr wrote: post #25
mc32 wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m down for that. There are so many “facilitators” in middle management, some really good and quite a few bad ones and many making no difference. I don’t know how people thought they were good positions to hire for. Remember before Covid many a company deadweight showing us the vast amounts of unwork they did at their companies on their YouTube videos? Proudly showing how idle they were? Not all the firings are dead…

In a zero interest rate environment, literally any return on investment justifies spending. If interest rates are 3.8%, the company needs at least a 3.8% return every year on your yearly compensation to justify your job.

You'd calculate return on investment based on invested capital, not on expenses, so this does not follow.

Re: 2026 tech layoffs reach 45,000 in March

#46

Post by PessimalDecimal »

IgorPartola wrote: post #40
rishabhaiover wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Google's projected AI capex spend is $170-180 billion for this year. It's unreasonable to think AI would not be a reason for companies to consider layoffs.

There are two ways to interpret your comment: 1. Google is getting so much productivity out of their AI that they need fewer people. 2. Google is spending so much on AI they can’t afford to keep the people they need.

I subscribe to the second point of view. Several companies fall in that bucket. Oracle comes to mind.

Re: 2026 tech layoffs reach 45,000 in March

#47

Post by fcarraldo »

rishabhaiover wrote: post #29
smithcoin wrote: post #8

Cutting layers of bureaucracy not replacing with AI

Google's projected AI capex spend is $170-180 billion for this year. It's unreasonable to think AI would not be a reason for companies to consider layoffs.

Does that include R&D? Google is an AI _provider_, which is a considerably different profile in terms of spend from companies who are consumers. I would expect Google to be investing considerable resources to keep up with Anthropic and OpenAI.

Re: 2026 tech layoffs reach 45,000 in March

#48

Post by PessimalDecimal »

CoastalCoder wrote: post #41
win311fwg wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is never just one cause, but I do think AI is one of them. Not in some AI "dey took er jerbs" kind of way, but because businesses are turning their investment focus towards AI-related ventures, like building data centres, and away from investments that require tech workers. Non-residential construction jobs, for example, have surged.

> Not in some AI "dey took er jerbs" kind of way FWIW, I read this as equating a particular regional accent with stupidity. I imagine it wasn't intentional, but it's something to consider.

It's a South Park reference. It very much is equating the accent with stupidity and backwardness.

In their defense, they make fun of nearly everyone. But they definitely were mocking White Southerners there.

Re: 2026 tech layoffs reach 45,000 in March

#49

Post by csimon80 »

abuani wrote: post #34
jameskilton wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Mark Zuckerberg is no longer the kingmaker that he was during Facebook's peak, and he is desperately trying to create the next platform to be the one in power once again. It would be sad if it wasn't so unbelievably destructive to everything it touches.

Curious to see how they can turn moltbook into a money maker. Do they sell ads to agents?

My guess is data collection. Maybe the data can be used to improve or train agents.

Re: 2026 tech layoffs reach 45,000 in March

#50

Post by kypro »

PlanksVariable wrote: post #5
bearjaws wrote: post #2

And Meta has another round coming, soon the only thing left at the company will be data center staff. Apparently 20% to be laid off soon. https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/meta-planning...

Surprised it took this long. I feel bad for the employees, but I can’t remember the last success they had. Metaverse, VR, throwing absurd money at AI and for what?

Their Libra cryptocurrency project is another example.
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