U.S. layoffs surge past 300,000 in Jan–Apr, AI becomes leading reason with 49,135 cuts

Challenger Gray data shows U.S. announced layoffs exceeded 300,000 through April, with AI cited for 49,135 cuts (about 16%)—the first time AI topped the list. Tech alone shed 33,361 jobs in April. Meta announced an additional 8,000 headcount reduction (10% of workforce).