
Tech Layoffs Outpace 2025 As Big Companies Shift Spending To AI
THE SO WHAT
Roughly 94,000 US tech layoffs through August—up 16.8% YoY—as spend is redirected to AI means headcount is now a funding source for model and infra bets. If you’re pitching non-AI software into large tech buyers, assume budgets are being zero-summed against AI initiatives and sharpen your ROI story accordingly.
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