Ignoring AI triples the risk of layoffs: new labor market data
The labor market in the technology sector is undergoing fundamental changes. According to the latest large-scale study, specialists who refuse to use artificial intelligence or use it less than once a month face a risk of dismissal three times higher than their colleagues who actively integrate AI into their workflows.
Data analysis shows a clear correlation: among laid-off employees, 62% admitted that they either did not use AI at all or did so no more than once a year. For comparison, among those who retained their jobs, this figure is 50%. At the same time, 28% of working specialists actively and regularly use AI, while among those who lost their jobs, this share drops to 22%.
This trend is particularly pronounced in the technology sector, where the overall layoff rate is already above average — 13% compared to 6% in other industries. However, within the sector itself, the gap between "advanced" AI users and those who ignore it is most dramatic. The risk of dismissal for the latter is three times higher than for their colleagues who actively use AI.
Notably, only 1% of respondents directly attribute their dismissal to the introduction of AI. However, 21% of workers reported layoffs at their companies in early 2026. This suggests that AI acts not so much as a cause, but as a marker of an employee's readiness for change and adaptability.
Expert opinion: The labor market has finally split into two camps. AI has ceased to be just a tool — it has become an indicator of professional flexibility. Those who ignore the technology risk not just falling behind, but becoming the first candidates for layoffs. The coming quarters will show how stringent this selection process will be.