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Nearly 4,000 people in the US lost their jobs to AI last month: Report

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As the wave of artificial intelligence gains momentum, about 3,900 people were laid off in May due to technological advances. According to a monthly report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas, US-based employers announced 80,089 cuts in May — 287% more than the same month in 2022. And for the first time, AI came in handy alongside typical reasons like market conditions, restructuring, and buyouts .

In May, 3,900 people lost their jobs due to AI – the first time such a case has been recorded. The AI-affected group accounted for about 4.9% of job losses in May at a time when hiring rates also hit their lowest level since 2016 to date. According to the report, some 417,500 jobs were lost between January and May this year – the worst start to a year since 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic led to mass layoffs.

The report also came just days after scientists and technology industry leaders warned that artificial intelligence would increase the risk of human extinction.

Updated: June 04, 2023, 8:31 PM IST


Joanna Swanson

Joanna Swanson is Europe correspondent at the Thomson Reuters Foundation based in Brussels covering politics, culture, business, climate change, society, economies and inclusive tech. With specific focus in breaking news, she has covered some of the world's most significant stories.