Issue 7

Sep 14–20, 2026 · 61 stories · 11 of them from Hungary

Viewpoint

Oracle starts new round of layoffs as AI spending rises

Oracle began a new wave of layoffs on 14 September 2026, its second this year, as its AI spending raises debt concerns. Reports say the company is spending about $90 billion on AI, the layoff plan has grown by $700 million, and 359 jobs are being cut in Washington state.

Sep 14, 2026 · 24 sources

Who is affected and how

employee: At a large tech company, AI investment is partly funded by headcount cuts: keep your CV and professional contacts up to date.
job seeker: Many experienced tech professionals among those laid off are entering the market, which increases competition for open positions.
HR professional: Communication about AI-cost-driven layoffs and severance packages need to be planned in advance.

survey · United Kingdom

UK workers spend nearly £1 billion of their own money on AI for work, Deloitte finds

A Deloitte survey finds that UK workers spend nearly £1 billion of their own money on AI tools for work. The survey also shows that roughly one in three AI users hides this from their boss.

employeeIf you use your own subscription for work, clarify the rules and data handling with your manager before secrecy becomes a risk.managerHidden AI use signals that official tools or policies have fallen behind: provide an approved set of tools and a clear framework.HR professionalReview the AI usage policy and cost reimbursement, as employees are already covering the tools themselves.survey · United States

New York data: AI is eating entry-level tech jobs

New data show that entry-level tech job postings in New York have fallen sharply, especially for recent computer science graduates. Experienced professionals are in a more stable position, and the…

early-career professionalApplying for entry-level roles, it is hard to stand out without practical projects and use of AI tools.job seekerThere are fewer postings for junior tech roles, so networking and internship routes matter more.managerHollowing out the entry level could cause a shortage of mid-level specialists in the longer term.HR professionalIt is worth rethinking the junior hiring channel and the mentoring system.recruitment · global

Recorded, transcribed, AI-led job interviews are becoming the norm

Recording, transcription and AI analysis of interviews are becoming more common, and applicants need to prepare for an AI interviewer. Reports say the new technology is jarring for many candidates.

job seekerCandidates should expect their interview to be recorded, transcribed and assessed by AI, so it is worth practising answering on camera.HR professionalCandidates must be informed and give consent before recording, and AI scores should be checked by a human decision-maker.law · United States

Litigation risk grows for AI-assisted hiring as Workday case seeks class certification

AI tools screen, rank and assess applicants, which is increasing litigation risk for employers. Job applicants in the US are seeking class certification in a case over Workday's AI tools.

HR professionalVendors and the workings of AI recruitment tools should be audited, and the decision log should be preserved.managerThe employer is liable for the discriminatory effect of an AI tool, so a person accountable for decisions should be designated.job seekerLegal action against automated rejection may be possible, and the US cases could set a precedent.

Hungary

job marketHungarian graduates struggle to find work as AI reshapes the entry levelearly-career professionalEntry-level positions come with ever higher expectations, so you need to show practical experience and AI use.HR professionalEntry-level job descriptions and requirements should be re-evaluated so that the talent pipeline is not shut out.job seekerAs a new graduate, it is worth searching through several channels, including internships and small-business opportunities.surveyHalf of Hungarians say AI will cause job lossesemployeePublic sentiment in Hungary expects job losses, so it is worth asking early about your organisation's AI plans.managerAI adoption must take Hungarian employees' fears into account, which calls for transparent communication.HR professionalInternal communication and training plans should be adjusted to the high level of concern.data protectionHungarian press flags data-protection risks of AI in HR, from recruitment to promotionHR professionalAI features in HR systems call for a data protection impact assessment and proper information to staff.employeeEmployees have the right to know what data is collected about them and how it affects their evaluation.job seekerIt is worth asking for information about AI pre-screening and data processing.job marketAI revolution will decide whether Hungary gets stuck in the development trapemployeeService-centre jobs may be particularly exposed to AI automation, so upskilling is needed.managerGiven the large headcount in service centres, planning the AI transition is a strategic issue.HR professionalRetraining and redeployment plans for the central workforce come to the fore.survey82% of Hungarian software developers use AI daily, gaining 6.5 hours a weekemployeeFor developers, using AI tools is now a baseline expectation, and the time saved can go to higher-value work.managerEfficiency gains should also be built into capacity and pay planning.SME ownerAI-assisted development can cut costs or speed up delivery.surveyHungarian survey: one in five respondents knows someone who lost a job to AIemployeeFear of AI is already direct experience for many: it is worth mapping which of your own tasks can be automated.HR professionalInternal communication must allow for fears fed by the personal experiences of acquaintances.surveyAI is spreading at remarkable speed among Hungarian companies, Piac&Profit reportsmanagerBeyond pilots, plan for AI embedded in processes.SME ownerFirst steps are common; competition will be decided by deep integration.employeeAI adoption within companies is accelerating, so learning the tools in time is advisable.regulationNew Hungarian AI strategy coming soonmanagerThe directions of the state AI strategy may affect funding and expectations.HR professionalThe strategy's training and workforce elements should be followed.opinionAI developers issue warnings, and HR must act tooHR professionalHR must take a proactive part in AI governance and in preparing employees.skillsHungarian universities to launch joint AI bachelor's programme from 2027early-career professionalFrom 2027, a new AI-focused undergraduate path opens for prospective students.HR professionalIn the longer term, a new cohort of graduates will appear as AI specialists.szakszervezetTrade union workshop addresses artificial intelligence in the workplaceemployeeTrade union platforms are already addressing workplace AI issues.HR professionalEmployee-representation perspectives should be considered when introducing AI.

In brief

skillsIf AI takes the junior jobs, who will become the experts?early-career professionalEmployers look for human skills and the ability to work alongside AI: that is what you need to demonstrate.HR professionalWithout redesigning entry-level tasks, the path to expertise may break.managerWithout structured junior development, there will be no internal senior pipeline later.job marketUN: global youth unemployment at 12.4%, about three times the national average in Chinaearly-career professionalYouth unemployment is high worldwide, so early-career workers need a skill profile that does not rest on a single pillar.managerIn multinational hiring, managers should allow for an abundance of young talent and for regional differences.job marketMore than 1m young people out of work in Britain as AI may threaten more jobsearly-career professionalShort AI bootcamps can offer an accessible way in, but the content and employer recognition should be checked.job seekerYoung jobseekers should look for local training programmes.surveyAI-era graduates face weak starting pay and employmentearly-career professionalIn starting salary negotiations, be realistic about the weak market; AI is not the only cause.job seekerCareer choices should take into account not only AI but also the broader market causes.surveyClutch: employees are quietly building their own AI agents with access to company dataHR professionalA policy is needed on building AI agents and using company data.managerManagers should map which agents are running in their teams and what data they can access.employeeBefore building a personal AI agent, clarify data access permissions.job marketJobless tech workers left out of San Francisco's AI boomjob seekerIn the region, the huge wealth of AI companies does not automatically mean jobs for laid-off tech workers.employeeAI wealth and job insecurity are present in the tech sector at the same time.regulationConnecticut's AI Act takes effect October 1, and employers should prepareHR professionalRecruitment and assessment processes that use AI should be reviewed before the Act takes effect.managerThe accountability and compliance framework for AI use should be set before the deadline.regulationReports: EU AI Act compliance inspections to begin, with HR in scopeHR professionalThe AI Act classification and documentation of AI systems used in recruitment and assessment should be checked.managerAI tools, especially in HR processes, should be audited before the December enforcement.statisztikaChallenger, Gray & Christmas tracks AI as a leading reason for US job cutsemployeeAI is increasingly cited as an official reason for layoffs, so it is timely to assess which tasks are at risk.HR professionalOutplacement and retraining capacity should be planned with AI-driven layoffs in mind.skillsPhilippines to reskill 1.3 million IT-BPM workers under $34.4 billion AI infrastructure planemployeeReskilling programmes may be available in the outsourcing and BPM sector, so it is worth following what is on offer.managerReskilling the workforce of outsourcing partners also affects service quality.skillsNew Jersey workers take AI training into their own handsemployeeWorker-led AI training makes it possible to tailor learning to one's own workplace needs.HR professionalA union- or worker-participation training model can serve as an example.recruitmentAI has not sped up recruitment, Hungarian reports sayHR professionalThe effect of AI tools on recruitment should be measured, because speed-ups are not automatic.managerThe return on recruitment AI investment should be tracked over time and with quality indicators.regulationAI Act may not cover most workplace surveillance, The Next Web reportsHR professionalPerformance-monitoring software should also be assessed separately under data protection and labour law, not only under the AI Act.employeeProtection against workplace monitoring may have gaps in Europe too, so it is worth requesting the data-processing notice.munkajogWorldatWork asks whether AI use could remove employees' exempt status and raise overtime costsHR professionalFor roles being reshaped by AI, classification and overtime rules should be rechecked.managerRedesigning a role around AI may lead to its reclassification.recruitmentRobert Half: AI-generated applications are slowing hiring for two-thirds of UK employersHR professionalAs application volumes grow, the screening process and verification steps need rethinking.job seekerUnique, verifiable content helps candidates stand out from formulaic AI applications.layoffsIONOS cuts 450 jobs and reinvests savings in cloud and AI plansemployeeHosting and cloud companies, too, are shifting spending towards AI.HR professionalJob cuts and the reallocation of resources to AI have to be managed at the same time.skillsCity & Guilds: human skills shortage grows as AI recruitment tools favour technical skillsHR professionalWhen configuring AI screening filters, the assessment of human skills should be built in as well.job seekerHuman skills should be documented too, because the algorithm looks for technical keywords.skillsSingapore launches 200+ AI courses as Portugal plans to train 100,000 workers in AIemployeeState-funded training is opening up for building AI skills.HR professionalPublic programmes can be used to supplement an in-house AI training plan.piacPhoenix Education to acquire workforce platform Fuel50HR professionalTalent mobility platforms are consolidating, so vendor risk needs watching.skillsIndian IT firms recycle regular software jobs with AI labelsemployeePromotion is skills-based, so documenting AI skills is an advantage.job seekerAI-labelled postings often hide traditional tasks, so it is worth checking each job ad in detail.researchMorgan Stanley: white-collar workers may reap the biggest AI benefitsemployeeBuilding AI skills is the likely route to higher pay in exposed occupations.managerAI use by highly skilled teams offers productivity and wage potential.researchAnthropic's economic model maps AI's impact on US jobs and wages through 2030HR professionalThe model is another source of scenarios for workforce planning, but as it was produced by an AI company, it should be treated critically.surveyWestpac says 70% of employees use AI in their everyday workmanagerAt a large financial institution most staff already use AI, which sets a benchmark.employeeIn the financial sector, AI use is becoming a general expectation.public sectorAustralian public servants seek AI limits as Labor pushes faster uptakeemployeeIn the public sector, staff are demanding limits and protections as AI is introduced.managerPublic-sector AI adoption requires staff involvement.job marketExperis: global tech hiring steadies as skills take priorityjob seekerIn the tech sector, AI capability and human skills count together.HR professionalThe stabilizing tech outlook can be taken into account in hiring plans.wagesMillennials get 60% of top AI jobs, but most are menHR professionalDiversity targets should be set with the gender and age breakdown of AI roles in mind.job seekerPay for top AI positions is high, but differences by age group and gender are significant.job marketJapan sees slower inflow of foreign professionals as AI reshapes entry-level hiringjob seekerFor those aiming to work abroad, entry-level opportunities are shrinking.HR professionalInternational recruitment strategy needs to adapt to changing demand for junior staff.job marketAI hiring surge shapes Ireland's labour marketjob seekerDemand for AI roles in Ireland is growing, so it is worth building AI skills.HR professionalThe competition for AI talent weighs on pay policy.nyilatkozatOpenAI CFO says AI is replacing some jobs, but many are mundanemanagerAI company executives speak openly about replacing routine work, so it is worth mapping these tasks.regulationCalifornia labor federation responds to Newsom's executive order on AI safetyemployeeUnions are actively shaping AI regulation in California.szakszervezetMusicians' union pushes back against Universal and Warner AI licensing dealsemployeeIn creative professions, unions are fighting over the terms of AI licensing.surveyBCG: Gulf workers among global leaders in workplace AI useHR professionalThe regional benchmark can be used to compare international AI adoption.surveyIpsos survey: Americans link career mobility to training and AI supportHR professionalAccess to training and AI support is a retention factor.employeeTraining opportunities should also be weighed when choosing an employer.

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Issue 7

Oracle starts new round of layoffs as AI spending rises

Who is affected and how

UK workers spend nearly £1 billion of their own money on AI for work, Deloitte finds

New York data: AI is eating entry-level tech jobs

Recorded, transcribed, AI-led job interviews are becoming the norm

Litigation risk grows for AI-assisted hiring as Workday case seeks class certification

Hungary

More key stories of the week

Gartner: a third of workers replaced by AI to be rehired by 2029

Pew: in 37 countries more people expect AI to cause job losses than growth

Amazon launches AI agents that interview job applicants around the clock

Studies: AI may be pressuring wages before mass job losses

Von der Leyen announces quality jobs initiative to address AI's impact on work

AI recruiting agent market expands as Workable and iCIMS are joined by new entrants

Report: most organisations are preparing workers for today's AI, not tomorrow's jobs

Survey: 76% of US adults say people assume older workers are less comfortable with new technology

AI build-out is hiring skilled trades: construction, trades and chip manufacturing

Workplace AI surveys: many don't know why they use it, fear blame for errors, and little use time is productive

AI-generated applications flood the job market, creating a hiring 'doom loop'

AI is so far reshaping tasks rather than eliminating jobs, analyses find

In brief