Companies like Intel, IBM and Google have been freezing thousands of would-be new roles that AI is expected to take over in the next 5 years

Major firms like Intel, IBM, Google, and Amazon are freezing or cutting roles as AI reshapes their operations. Many affected jobs are in administrative or repetitive-task areas that AI could automate within the next five years. Intel is restructuring and halting major projects; IBM is pausing hiring for non-customer-facing roles; Google is freezing thousands of openings; and Amazon is scaling back select positions.

The shift aims to cut costs and redirect hiring toward roles that complement AI — those requiring oversight, problem-solving, and critical thinking. AI is taking over structured, repeatable tasks and handling routine communications, reducing the need for human workers in certain areas. As a result, companies are focusing recruitment efforts on positions that manage AI systems, interpret outputs, and make strategic decisions that machines can’t.

While the broader job market remains stable, experts warn of growing displacement risks and a widening skills gap as AI takes over more routine work. Workers whose roles are most vulnerable to automation may face pressure to reskill or pivot to industries less exposed to AI. Some employers are investing in training programs to help staff transition into higher-value positions, but access to such resources is uneven.

At the same time, the rapid pace of AI integration is forcing business leaders to rethink their workforce strategies entirely. Rather than simply reducing headcount, some companies are using AI to augment human productivity, aiming to combine machine efficiency with human creativity and judgment. This hybrid approach could create new opportunities — but it also underscores the urgency for employees to adapt in order to stay competitive in a changing labor market.