36氪·2025-10-29 13:35Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significant layoffs in Silicon Valley driven by the AI wave, highlighting a shift in job roles and the demand for top AI talent while traditional positions are being automated away [11][87]. Group 1: Layoffs in Major Tech Companies - Salesforce has laid off approximately 8,000 employees in 2023 and an additional 1,000 in 2024, with a further 262 layoffs announced in 2025, reflecting a shift towards AI-driven efficiency [20][21]. - Meta has also been active in layoffs, cutting 600 positions in its AI infrastructure department, while simultaneously seeking top AI talent for its new initiatives [18][19]. - Google has adjusted its organizational structure, offering voluntary departure plans and cutting over 100 design positions in its cloud department to focus resources on AI product development [40][41]. Group 2: Broader Impact on the Tech Industry - The independent tracking site Layoffs.fyi reported that over 150,000 employees in the global tech industry have been laid off in 2024, with AI and economic uncertainty as primary drivers [12][13]. - Companies like Microsoft and Amazon have also made significant cuts, with Microsoft laying off over 6,500 employees in 2024 to focus on generative AI products [32][33]. - Traditional companies like Oracle and Cisco are also reducing their workforce, reallocating resources towards AI-related fields despite not directly attributing layoffs to AI [45][46]. Group 3: Startups and Unicorns Adapting to AI - Startups are not immune to the layoffs, with companies like Fiverr cutting 30% of its workforce to focus on AI-driven products [52]. - Yotpo, another startup, laid off 34% of its team to pivot towards AI tools, indicating a broader trend of traditional business models being challenged by AI [54]. - Even companies in the AI sector, such as Scale AI and xAI, have made significant layoffs, reflecting the competitive pressures and strategic shifts within the industry [61][64]. Group 4: Traditional Industries Feeling the Pressure - The layoffs extend beyond tech, with Starbucks cutting 1,100 tech positions to outsource some functions, indicating a shift in how companies manage their tech needs [77]. - The automotive industry is also affected, with GM and Rivian announcing layoffs due to market changes and demand fluctuations [79]. - Siemens and Intel have also announced significant layoffs, focusing on enhancing competitiveness and shifting towards AI-related manufacturing [80][81]. Group 5: The Dual Nature of AI Revolution - The article emphasizes the paradox of AI, where it creates new high-skill jobs while simultaneously eliminating many traditional roles, leading to a significant transformation in the job market [90][91]. - Companies are increasingly seeking AI specialists, with roles like machine learning engineers and data scientists in high demand, while traditional roles are being automated [96][97]. - The ongoing layoffs and hiring trends illustrate that AI is not just a cost-cutting measure but a fundamental reshaping of the workforce landscape [98][99].