U.S. tech layoffs top 100,000

Layoffs in the tech sector passed 100,000 by mid-May, according to multiple widely cited trackers, extending a job-cut cycle that now spans both startups and large public companies. Layoffs.fyi showed 108,724 tech employees laid off across 137 companies as of May 15. Crunchbase News, which tracks U.S.-based tech employers, said its latest weekly tally showed at least 24,332 U.S. tech-sector employees were laid off or scheduled for layoffs in the weeks ended May 14. The new cuts follow a heavy 2025. Crunchbase News said at least 127,000 workers at U.S.-based tech companies were laid off in mass job cuts last year. Reuters reported this week that LinkedIn planned to cut about 5% of its headcount, adding to a list of companies reshaping teams in 2026. The pattern is no longer confined to early-stage startups. Crunchbase News said the recent cuts span cloud infrastructure, fintech, enterprise software and consumer internet companies, while KRON4, citing a Statista report built on Layoffs.fyi data, said first-quarter layoffs reached about 81,700 and the first six weeks of the second quarter added another 20,000. (layoffs.fyi) (news.crunchbase.com) ### Which tally are people using when they say layoffs topped 100,000? Layoffs.fyi is the source behind the six-figure figure cited in many recent reports. The tracker showed 108,724 tech employees laid off and 137 tech companies with layoffs when viewed on May 15. KRON4, citing Statista analysis based on Layoffs.fyi data, reported on May 14 that tech layoffs had already topped 100,000 by early May. (news.crunchbase.com) Crunchbase News uses a narrower lens. Its tracker covers U.S.-based tech companies and said on May 14 that at least 127,000 workers were laid off in 2025, while at least 24,332 U.S. tech-sector employees were laid off or scheduled for layoffs in the most recent weeks it counted. ### Which companies are driving the latest wave? Cisco was among the biggest named employers in Crunchbase News’ latest roundup. (layoffs.fyi) Crunchbase reported the company would cut nearly 4,000 employees, or roughly 5% of its workforce, as it shifted spending toward AI infrastructure and cybersecurity. LinkedIn was the latest large platform company to join the list. Reuters reported on May 13 that the Microsoft-owned social network planned to cut about 5% of its headcount, or roughly 875 jobs based on its more than 17,500 full-time workers, as it reorganized teams and focused personnel on areas where its business is growing. (news.crunchbase.com) Cloudflare, Meta, PayPal, Bill and Coinbase also appeared in recent layoff reports compiled by Crunchbase News. Crunchbase said Cloudflare eliminated more than 1,100 jobs, or about 20% of staff, while Coinbase said advances in AI were allowing it to operate with smaller teams. ### Are companies explicitly tying cuts to AI? Cisco Chief Executive Chuck Robbins did so directly in a statement quoted by Crunchbase News. “While we are reducing roles in some areas, we are making clear, strategic investments — particularly in silicon, optics, security and in our employees’ use of AI across the company,” Robbins said. (money.usnews.com) Cloudflare also framed its cuts around internal AI adoption. (news.crunchbase.com) Crunchbase quoted Chief Executive Matthew Prince and President Michelle Zatlyn as saying the company’s use of AI had risen by more than 600% in three months and that employees across functions were running thousands of AI-agent sessions each day. LinkedIn’s case was more limited. Reuters reported that one person familiar with the matter said the rationale for its layoffs was not for artificial intelligence to replace jobs at the company, even as the broader sector reorganizes around AI spending and efficiency. (news.crunchbase.com) ### What kinds of jobs are still being prioritized? Crunchbase News said companies are redirecting hiring priorities toward areas tied to AI infrastructure and cybersecurity. Cisco’s statement specifically named silicon, optics and security as investment areas, and Reuters reported LinkedIn was moving personnel toward areas where its business is growing. That leaves a split picture in tech hiring. (money.usnews.com) The layoffs are broad, but the openings companies continue to emphasize are concentrated in senior and specialized work tied to infrastructure, security and AI systems, according to company statements and tracker reports. That is an inference from the roles and spending priorities the companies themselves identified. (news.crunchbase.com) ### Where will readers see the next update? May 14 is the latest update date on Crunchbase News’ tracker, which it says is updated weekly. Layoffs.fyi describes its site as a live tracker that is constantly updated, and its running total was still changing on May 15. (news.crunchbase.com)