LinkedIn, Cisco and Amazon are the latest tech companies laying off more workers

Cisco, the San Jose-based networking and cybersecurity company, will lay off fewer than 4,000 employees—less than 5% of its workforce—while reporting third-quarter revenue of $15.8 billion and net income of $3.4 billion. CEO Chuck Robbins attributed the cuts to a strategic shift toward AI, stating in an internal email that the company must prioritize high-demand areas despite strong financial performance. LinkedIn, owned by Microsoft, is planning to lay off 5% of its staff, or approximately 875 people, according to Reuters sources. The company’s CEO, Daniel Shapero, confirmed in an internal memo that the cuts will affect global business, marketing, and engineering teams as LinkedIn aims to operate more profitably and refocus investments on infrastructure and long-term growth. Amazon, which announced 16,000 job cuts in January, is reducing roles in its Selling Partner Services team, though the exact number was not disclosed. The company emphasized supporting affected employees with transitional healthcare, severance, and job placement services. The layoffs follow similar moves by other tech firms, including Meta, Block, Oracle, Cloudflare, and Coinbase, as companies restructure to fund AI development. Some executives argue AI tools allow fewer employees to complete more work, while others cite cost-cutting measures amid rising AI infrastructure expenses. Tech leaders continue to balance workforce reductions with heavy AI investments, reshaping industries as competition intensifies. The trend reflects broader industry uncertainty, with companies prioritizing efficiency amid evolving market demands.