Tech companies cited artificial intelligence in nearly 48,400 U.S. job cuts this year, with 31,000 announced in October alone as executives tout AI-driven efficiency.

Debate surrounds whether AI truly drives layoffs or if companies use it to justify cuts for other reasons, including overexpansion and uncertain economic conditions.

AI agents increasingly handle customer service, contract work and HR tasks once requiring hundreds of employees, with Goldman Sachs projecting further cuts ahead.

In late September, the German airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG told analysts and investors that it planned to eliminate 4,000 administrative positions by the end of the decade. Among the reasons it cited was “the increased use of artificial intelligence.”

Weeks later, Dutch lender ING Groep NV said nea

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