Tech companies have already cut more positions in 2026 than in all of 2025, with trackers such as Layoffs.fyi reporting over 131,000 layoffs through early October versus 122,600 the prior year. Large firms including Oracle, Amazon, Meta, Dell, and Microsoft have driven the surge through AI-focused restructuring that reallocates spending from legacy roles to artificial intelligence infrastructure and automation. AI is explicitly cited in roughly one-third of events and linked to about 72% of total cuts, far above prior years. While monthly volumes eased after a May peak, year-to-date totals and continued efficiency initiatives at major platforms sustain trader expectations that full-year figures will exceed 2025 levels.