Year ender 2024: The year that saw big tech job cuts surge

In 2024, major technology companies intensified layoffs, driven by economic uncertainty, rising interest rates, and the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence. Industry giants such as Microsoft, Google and Apple were at the forefront of this trend.

Let’s take a look at the firms that shed jobs last year :

Google: The search giant reduced top management roles by 10% as part of a broader push to double efficiency. In January, Google laid off hundreds of employees in its advertising sales division, marking a significant move in its cost-cutting measures. It also eliminated 100 employees at its video platform, YouTube.

Amazon: In January, Amazon laid off several hundred employees in its streaming and studio operations.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) also cut several hundred sales, marketing and tech roles.

Apple: In April, Apple laid off 600 employees across its self-driving car and smartwatch screen projects. The company also cut 100 jobs in its services group in August.

Microsoft: In January, Microsoft cut 1,900 jobs at Activision Blizzard and Xbox, representing about 8% of its Gaming division.

Also Read: Microsoft to lay off about 1,500 employees at Azure cloud unit: report

Intel: Chip-maker Intel slashed 15,000 jobs – over 15% of its workforce – in August. These layoffs are part of a $10-billion cost-reduction plan for 2025, prompted by disappointing second-quarter earnings and a bleak outlook.

Also Read: Layoffs in 2024: These startups grappled with workforce cuts

Dell Technologies: Dell restructured its sales team in August, cutting 10% of its workforce while launching a new AI-focused unit. The company’s best-known business of selling personal computers has struggled in recent years amid a post-pandemic decline in that market.

Also Read: Dell reduces workforce as part of broader cost cuts

Cisco: The US tech conglomerate laid off thousands of employees last year. In August, the company announced around 7% job cuts, affecting around 5,600 employees, after shedding 4,000 jobs in February.

Tesla: In April, Tesla initiated a series of layoffs, affecting as many as 21,473 employees across 50 companies in the technology sector. The move came as Tesla sought to reduce its overall workforce by approximately 10%.

Also Read: Elon Musk’ layoff statement from April prompted Tesla to start slashing down workforce?

GoPro: Action camera maker GoPro cut about 15% of its workforce in August, as part of a restructuring plan to reduce operating expenses.

Freshwork: Nasdaq-listed software-as-a-service (SaaS) major Freshworks slashed its workforce by 13%, impacting about 660 employees globally in November, as part of its efforts to streamline operations.