A fresh wave of layoffs is sweeping through Silicon Valley in 2025. The layoffs come despite some big tech firms posting record profits, highlighting the relentless transformation driven by AI and cost trimming.
In the first half of 2025 alone, more than 74,000 jobs have been eliminated across 154 companies, according to independent tracker Layoffs.fyi. And this wave shows no sign of stopping. While the volume of layoffs has slowed compared to the previous two years, the rationale behind them has shifted: this time, it’s about streamlining for speed, eliminating middle management, and, above all, doubling down on AI.
Key Highlights
- 74,408 tech workers laid off across 154 companies until July 13, 2025.
- Microsoft cut 15,000+ jobs, with 9,000 in its largest layoff since 2023.
- Intel plans to lay off up to 10,000 workers globally, with 2,400 in Oregon alone.
- Meta, HPE, OpenText, Autodesk, and others slash thousands of roles while growing AI and cloud units.
Microsoft –15,000 jobs cut in 2025
Microsoft has led 2025’s layoff wave with a total of 15,000 jobs cut, including its largest single round in years, 9,100 layoffs in July alone, affecting nearly 4% of its global workforce.
The job cuts have impacted multiple departments, including Microsoft Gaming/Xbox, and are part of a broader restructuring aimed at simplifying operations, eliminating management layers, and accelerating its AI-first strategy. Despite strong financial performance, an 18% increase in year-over-year net income, the company stated: “We continue to implement organizational changes necessary to best position the company and teams for success in a dynamic marketplace.”
Intel plans up to 10,000 global layoffs
Intel, under new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, is undergoing a major restructuring that includes laying off up to 10,000 employees, or between 15–20% of its chip manufacturing workforce worldwide. In the U.S., the layoffs are hitting Oregon the hardest, with 2,400 jobs cut, marking one of the largest tech workforce reductions in the state’s history. The company says the cuts are part of a plan to reduce redundancy and realign resources as it attempts to regain its footing in a highly competitive semiconductor industry.
Meta layoffs affect 3,600 employees
Meta is cutting about 5% of its workforce, or approximately 3,600 jobs, in 2025. The layoffs focus primarily on employees deemed “low-performing” and come amid a larger transformation inside the company, including a reallocation of resources toward AI development.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg has indicated that Meta is now concentrating on “securing the strongest talent,” and plans to sunset initiatives like its third-party fact-checking program in favor of more automated, community-driven systems.
OpenText cuts 1,600 jobs amid AI refocus
Canadian software company OpenText has announced 1,600 job cuts, positioning artificial intelligence as its new strategic core.
In internal emails to staff, CEO Mark Barrenechea emphasized that AI is now a “number one priority and baseline expectation” across teams. While reducing headcount overall, OpenText also revealed plans to rehire 1,000 new employees in what it calls “key locations and high-impact functions,” reflecting a pivot toward AI-driven growth areas.
CrowdStrike lays off 500 of 5% workers
Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike is laying off 5% of its global workforce, or about 500 employees, in 2025. CEO George Kurtz attributed the decision directly to the growing role of AI in operations: “AI flattens our hiring curve… and drives efficiencies across both the front and back office.” While the company continues to grow, the job cuts aim to trim costs and streamline internal processes to remain agile as AI adoption accelerates across the security industry.
Blue Origin cuts over 1,000 jobs
Jeff Bezos’ aerospace company Blue Origin cut over 1,000 jobs in February 2025, citing a restructured annual operating plan that emphasizes increased rocket manufacturing and faster launch schedules. In a company-wide email, CEO David Limp said the layoffs would primarily affect roles in engineering, research and development, and program management, adding that the company was also “thinning out layers of management” to improve speed and operational efficiency.
Indeed & Glassdoor layoffs affect 1,300 staff
Job platforms Indeed and Glassdoor, both owned by Japan’s Recruit Holdings, are eliminating a combined 1,300 jobs in 2025 as part of a broader restructuring that integrates Glassdoor into Indeed’s operations. The cuts primarily affect U.S.-based employees across R&D, HR, and sustainability roles. CEO Hisayuki “Deko” Idekoba wrote in an internal memo: “AI is changing the world, and we must adapt by ensuring our product delivers truly great experiences for job seekers and employers.”
HPE plans to lay off 2,500 workers
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has announced plans to lay off 2,500 employees, or 5% of its global workforce, over the next 18 months. The move is part of a broader cost-reduction program approved by its board, which aims to generate $350 million in savings by fiscal 2027. CEO Antonio Neri told investors the company remains committed to major strategic efforts like its acquisition of Juniper Networks, even as it tightens spending and headcount in response to global tariff challenges and shifting market demands.
Autodesk lays off 1,350 staff
Software giant Autodesk is cutting 1,350 jobs, representing about 9% of its workforce, as it seeks to realign its operations around AI and cloud technologies. Despite reporting strong revenue growth across all business segments, the company is prioritizing what CEO Andrew Anagnost calls “business resilience.” In a message to employees, he said the layoffs are intended to help Autodesk “accelerate investment in AI and our cloud business.”
