AI to Trigger 30,000 Job Cuts in 2026 as Global Companies Shift to 'Robots'

A wave of layoffs in the technology industry is intensifying in 2026. This time, Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, has come under the spotlight after announcing cuts of around 1,000 employees, equivalent to 16 per cent of its total global workforce.

This move underscores the significant impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the structure of modern companies. Snap stated that the decision was driven by the acceleration of AI technology, which enables many jobs to be performed with fewer human resources.

In its statement, the company emphasised that rapid advancements in artificial intelligence allow tasks that previously required many people to now be completed by smaller teams.

CEO Evan Spiegel also conveyed in an internal memo that this step is targeted to save up to US$500 million, or approximately Rp8.5 trillion, in the second half of 2026. He further noted that the company is already utilising AI across various business lines to enhance operational efficiency.

Snap is not the only company implementing AI-based efficiencies. Throughout 2026, several major technology firms have taken similar steps under the banner of digital transformation.

For instance, Oracle is cutting 20,000–30,000 employees amid major investments in AI infrastructure. Meta has reportedly laid off hundreds of workers, while Crypto.com has reduced 12 per cent of its workforce due to AI integration across the company.

“Jobs affected are roles that cannot adapt in our new world,” stated Crypto.com CEO Kris Marszalek, as quoted from Forbes on Friday, 17 April 2026.

Meanwhile, Atlassian is trimming around 1,600 employees to fund AI investments. Co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes said that he fundamentally believes the combination of humans and AI produces the best outcomes.

This trend indicates a major shift in how companies manage their workforce. Many firms are now redirecting budgets from recruitment to AI technology investments, which are deemed more efficient in the long term.

Labour expert Andy Challenger revealed that companies are shifting budgets to AI investments at the expense of workers. “Real worker replacement can be seen in technology companies, where AI can replace coding functions. Other industries are testing the limits of this technology, and although it cannot fully replace workers yet, it still reduces the number of jobs.”