Following Big Tech firms like Google, Facebook, and Microsoft, among others, International Business Machines (IBM) is continuing its firing spree in 2025, enabled by AI integration.
The over-a-century-old company that is now led by desi CEO Arvind Krishna has laid off nearly 8,000 employees, with the HR department affected the most. Per reports, the layoffs are attributed to the AI deployment that can virtually handle all sorts of operations that, hitherto, only a seasoned HR professional could.
CEO Arvind Krishna has been very vocal about AI’s future in the prosperity of Big Tech. In his recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, he nonchalantly quipped how IBM used AI “to replace the work of a couple hundred human resources workers.”
However, he also claimed how, ironically, IBM’s “total employment has actually gone up,” as AI “gives you more investment to put into other areas.”
IBM has recently laid off around 8,000 employees, focusing mainly on its Human Resources (HR) department, accordingly to several media reports.#Employees #ArtificialIntelligence #BusinessNews https://t.co/egx1qMTRe9
— News18 (@CNNnews18) May 29, 2025
Reactions poured in on social media over the layoffs. “Parivartan he sansaar ka niyam hai,” (change is the only constant), quipped one user. Another user remarked, “AI is the weapon of Kali in Kalyug.” Yet another user stated in jest, “HR vese bhi kaun sa kaam karte hai” (Does the HR even work anyway?)
One user asked, “Jab aadmi kamayega nahi toh kharch kese karega? Phir kiske liye kaam karegi ye company?” (If a man won’t earn then how will he spend and what will these companies work for?) Another user jibed, “How will these HR AIs make diwali rangolis?”
HR waise bhi kaun sa kam hi karte hai.
— Pushpendra Kumar (@143_pushpendra) May 28, 2025
HR waise bhi kuch nhi krta achha hai ai usse replace kr dega.
— यास्मीन स्कैरियाचन🇮🇳𓃮࿗🔱 (@YScariachan) May 28, 2025
जब आदमी कमाएगा ही नहीं तो खर्च कौन करेगा फिर क्या और किसके लिए काम करेगी कंपनी ?
— gp (@Girishpant001) May 28, 2025
The era of AI isn’t the end, it’s the start of the human comeback.
भगवान कृष्ण भी तो कहते है
“परिवर्तन ही संसार का नियम”
— Sarthak Bhagat (@sarthakbhagat45) May 28, 2025
A.I is the Weapon of Kali in Kalyug, and he use it Against Humans. pic.twitter.com/fWoStNWvmD
— असूर् ☠️ (@AsurYug) May 28, 2025
Until the AI is not integrated with Robotics, wonder how will these HR AI’s make diwali rangolis? 🤔
— Last of the real Humans.. (@Whistle78427964) May 28, 2025
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Cover: Patrick Gawande / Mashable India
