a16z: AI job-loss FUD peaked in May, AI-cited layoff announcements down ~90%
a16z · x · 2026-10-31
a16z's Charts of the Week shows the AI jobs panic peaked in May and has faded fast: news reports on AI job loss are down 65%, back to year-ago levels, and layoff announcements citing AI are down 90%, near the year's low. Context: Microsoft's buyout offer to 60,000 employees (a quarter of its workforce) wasn't framed as AI-driven, with the CFO citing 'employee agency.' Meanwhile, Indeed data shows job postings for SWEs, manufacturing and engineering roles continuing an upward inflection, suggesting AI-related labor substitution remains unproven and doomer narratives have moved on.
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