As artificial intelligence continues to expand its reach, a wave of job cuts has already begun to reshape the landscape of American employment. It’s like a digital tsunami crashing into the workforce, and people are scrambling for flotation devices while the waters rise.
In July 2025 alone, over 10,000 jobs were wiped out in the U.S. private sector. And this isn’t an isolated incident. Through July of that year, more than 806,000 job cuts were announced, hitting a grim milestone not seen since 2020.
The technology sector is taking the brunt of it. Over 89,000 jobs gone, a staggering 36% increase from the previous year. Can you say “thank you, AI“? Not surprisingly, since 2023, at least 27,000 of those layoffs have been directly linked to AI. These numbers aren’t just statistics; they represent people—real folks caught in a storm of innovation and uncertainty, especially when they can’t get a visa to work anymore.
BT’s virtual assistant Aimee handles 60,000 customer interactions every week, showing how quickly AI is replacing human workers. Shocking as it may sound, about 40% of employers are planning to downsize as AI takes over various tasks in 2025. The implications are dire. Up to 50 million jobs across the U.S. could be threatened. And guess who gets the worst of it? Those entry-level jobs, often the first stepping stones into the workforce.
There’s a harsh reality here: 11 million new jobs might open up, but 9 million will disappear. Great odds, huh?
Moreover, the World Economic Forum predicts a staggering 85 million jobs globally will be rendered obsolete by 2025. Retail and administrative sectors? They’re looking at heavy losses. Retail might see up to 65% of jobs automated. Those flashy ads you see in stores? They won’t take over, but robots might.
Meanwhile, black hole job losses in white-collar roles are just around the corner, with unemployment rates rising to an alarming 10-20% due to AI effects, driven by the increasing adoption of AI within various industries. In fact, 40% of employers expect workforce reductions where AI can automate tasks.
Surprisingly, for many workers and policymakers, this is all business as usual. A third of U.S. workers are nervously checking their jobs, fearing they will be the next casualties of the AI wave.
Repetitive tasks like clerical work? Say goodbye to those, as they are more than vulnerable—they’re practically begging for automation.
The job market is changing, and it could slam shut on new workers trying to climb in. Sure, some skilled roles might be opening—if you’re okay with lower pay and intense competition.
The future is here, folks—and it’s decidedly cold and calculating. Let’s hope humanity can keep up or we might just become relics in an AI-driven world.
