Global Tech Layoffs Top 6,300 in First Two Weeks of September as Companies Shift to AI

More than 6,300 technology workers lost their jobs in the first ten days of September 2026, according to data tracked by AI Weekly. Companies including Uber, PayPal, and Oracle were among those cutting staff as the industry continues to shift resources toward artificial intelligence.

The layoffs reflect a broader pattern that has played out across the tech sector over the past two years. Companies that expanded aggressively during the pandemic era are now trimming workforces in traditional software, operations, and support roles while investing heavily in AI tools and infrastructure.

Oracle's restructuring costs have climbed to approximately $2.8 billion as the company redirects capital toward its AI data center ambitions. The company reported surging cloud infrastructure revenue of $7.4 billion alongside capital expenditures of $28.5 billion per quarter, a pace that requires significant cost discipline elsewhere in the business.

Uber and PayPal did not specify which divisions were affected by their cuts. Both companies have said they are investing in AI to improve efficiency and reduce costs over the long term.

The September layoffs come on top of tens of thousands of cuts earlier in 2026. Industry analysts say the trend is likely to continue as AI tools take over tasks that previously required large teams of human workers.

For workers in affected roles, the job market remains difficult. Demand for AI engineers and data scientists is strong, but competition is intense. Career counselors say workers in traditional tech roles need to develop AI-related skills to remain competitive in the current market.