More than a majority of leaders in the business world expect AI technology to lead to reductions in employment levels over the next two years, says a recent global survey. Conducted by Mercer, the survey revealed that more than 99 percent of business leaders expect job losses in the wake of the increasing use of AI.
The results of the survey were based on data from almost 12,000 executives, HR practitioners, workers, and investors across multiple countries.
Nowadays, business leaders view AI as an innovation that will automate processes, increase efficiency, and reduce costs. In this regard, the results show that 98% of respondents expect major organizational restructuring in the next two years due to AI-powered processes.
It seems that many firms are now reevaluating their staffing requirements as automation technologies have advanced. Respondents believe that AI will bring significant changes to positions held by employees from different departments.
A number of the big technology names are now pretty open about how AI might hit their workforce and day-to-day staff needs. And yeah, among the companies that are trimming headcount or basically saying that AI investment might translate into fewer hires, you can find Amazon, Atlassian, Block, Fiverr, Pinterest, and Snap.
Per the industry estimates that are referenced in the report, about 50,000 employees were impacted by AI-led layoffs in 2025, roughly speaking.
Also Read: Meta Layoffs: 1,400 Washington Jobs Axed Amid Billion-Dollar AI Investments
However, despite the concerns raised, there has been considerable debate among economists over the extent to which AI currently affects employment. Some research indicates that job losses are still not a reality, as some sectors have seen recruitment trends.
The above survey reflects only executives' perceptions of AI's future impact on their organizations, not on the labor market.
It implies that organizations will start applying artificial intelligence to their everyday processes. In this case, workers must prepare for roles that demand greater adaptability and knowledge of new technologies, not just routine tasks.
Also, how much job loss will actually occur in the future is still not fully clear, but organizational management will already begin steering its workforce planning in line with the progress of artificial intelligence.