Issue 11

Oct 12–18, 2026 · 58 stories · 10 of them from Hungary

Viewpoint

IMF chief warns AI is hitting jobs like a slow-moving tsunami

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned on 12 October that AI could wipe out jobs like a slow-moving tsunami. The IMF says about 40% of jobs worldwide will be affected, with entry-level positions and governments' tax revenues also at risk.

Oct 12, 2026 · 34 sources

Who is affected and how

early-career professional: First jobs may become scarcer, so it is worth building AI skills and project work into your CV now.
employee: Assess how exposed your role is to AI and ask your employer for targeted retraining.
HR professional: Workforce and training budget planning must allow for the transformation of entry-level positions.
manager: Map the AI exposure of your team's tasks before making headcount decisions.

layoffs · United States

Nearly 200,000 US job cuts since 2023 have cited AI, report says

A report says nearly 200,000 US job cuts since 2023 have cited AI. Reuters is tracking more than 20 companies that have cut jobs citing AI, including Microsoft and Kroger.

employeeJob cuts citing AI point to a widening trend, so review your own position's exposure regularly.HR professionalCiting AI as the reason for layoffs is a communication and legal risk, so you must be able to show that AI is actually the cause.skills · global

AI erodes entry-level jobs, leaving HR to rebuild the talent pipeline

Surveys show 37% of recruiters already see falling entry-level demand because of AI. Singapore's president has also warned graduates, and HR leaders will need to rebuild the talent pipeline.

early-career professionalShow business judgement and automation skills, as the new entry-level roles are built on them.HR professionalIf AI takes over entry-level tasks, secure the supply of future senior staff through internships and mentoring programmes.managerEliminating entry-level positions could create an experience gap in the senior ranks within ten years.regulation · European Union

ECB's Lane: AI may weaken euro zone workers' bargaining power

ECB Chief Economist Philip Lane said corporate use of AI could curb workers' wage demands. Reuters reports that heavy investment could also tighten financing conditions.

employeeStronger arguments are needed in pay negotiations: measurable performance and the added value created with AI.HR professionalPlan pay bands and the pay-rise budget with easing wage pressure in mind, which also creates a retention risk.managerEasing wage pressure does not remove the retention risk, so key staff need a separate strategy.survey · global

PwC: AI is splitting the labour market, and most workers are left without training

A PwC survey finds that daily AI users are more confident, while access to training is shrinking for most workers. Hungarian reports say AI use is rising but employees are receiving less and less…

HR professionalAI training must be extended to everyone, not only to those already using AI.employeeIf the employer provides no training, workers who do not learn on their own initiative risk falling behind.managerIntroducing AI without training produces teams that move at two speeds.

Hungary

surveyAI gap widens, and companies risk losing their most AI-capable employeesHR professionalPrepare a separate retention plan for AI-strong staff, covering training, role and pay.managerIf AI use is not supported, the most capable staff may move to another employer.employeeAI experience gives you a strong bargaining position in the market.surveyHungarian data: one in three Hungarians uses generative AI at work, but trust in HR decisions remains weakHR professionalIn recruitment, AI should be used transparently and combined with human decision-making to maintain trust.employeeEveryday AI use is becoming a basic skill, so it is worth practising within proper rules.SME ownerIn recruitment, AI should be introduced in small steps, for controlled tasks.surveyHungarian SMEs: AI is no magic fix and cannot skip over disorganised operationsSME ownerBefore introducing AI, processes and data must be put in order.managerThe value of AI should be measured in burden relief, not in headcount reduction.caseHungarian kindergarten teacher applicant interviewed by AI found it humiliatingHR professionalCandidate experience of AI interviews should be measured and a human alternative offered, especially in people-centred professions.job seekerConcerns about an AI interview can be raised with the employer, and a human conversation can be requested.caseAI may soon steer production at a Hungarian companyemployeeProduction staff will need new supervision and data-handling skills in an AI-managed environment.managerBefore rollout, changes to tasks must be discussed with employees.surveyAI and population decline are reshaping the Hungarian labour market together, and job searches take longerjob seekerJobseekers should prepare for a longer search, so targeted applications and the use of AI tools are necessary.HR professionalDemographic shrinkage and AI together call for rethinking recruitment strategy.surveyHungarian manufacturers face skills shortages yet are not enthusiastic about AISME ownerAI can be a tool against skills shortages, but processes must be put in order before rollout.HR professionalIn industrial workplaces, the skills gap must be addressed through training together with AI support.skillsCompanies, including Bosch, bring AI training to Hungarian schoolsearly-career professionalSchool-based AI training can build skills before entry-level jobs.HR professionalCorporate education partnerships can also serve as talent pipelines.surveyPortfolio: workers at risk from AI are cutting off the branch they sit onemployeeWhen using AI, consider the long-term value of your own role.managerTeams at risk need an open discussion about the role of AI.skillsCroatia to train 7,000 citizens, 10,000 teachers and 5,000 civil servants in AIemployeeState-run AI training is available to civil servants and teachers.HR professionalThe public-sector training model can serve as a template for corporate programmes.

In brief

surveyWomen face higher risk of AI-driven displacement, reports sayHR professionalImpact assessments of AI deployments should also be carried out by gender, because of equal-opportunity risks.employeeWomen in administrative and office roles have particular reason to prioritise retraining.regulationAI surveillance at work: bosses are watching more and moreemployeeFind out what data your employer collects, and ask for transparency.HR professionalCheck in advance whether AI-based monitoring complies with data protection and labour law.managerMonitoring can erode trust, so it must be proportionate and transparent.surveyUS entry-level programmer employment has fallen 20%early-career professionalStand out with a portfolio and real project work, as junior developer positions are shrinking.managerHalting junior hiring leads to a senior shortage later, so it is worth keeping the entry level.caseCompanies that rushed into AI are now pulling back as errors and poor quality mountmanagerMeasure the error rate and rework in AI-replaced processes before making headcount decisions.employeeChecking and correcting AI output is valuable work, so make it visible in performance reviews.recruitmentTwo-thirds of UK graduate employers say students have cheated with AI in job interviewsHR professionalInterviews can be hardened against AI assistance with live, problem-solving tasks.early-career professionalAI-assisted answers can be detected, so candidates should demonstrate real knowledge.recruitmentAI-written CVs and mass applications: AI screeners favour AI-written textjob seekerMass AI applications can backfire, so fewer but targeted, tailored applications are needed.HR professionalAI screeners can introduce bias, so screening criteria and outputs should be checked regularly.caseAI-based fraud: 15% of workers have met an attempt, and job scams are more convincingjob seekerOverly personalised offers with an exceptionally high salary should be verified through official channels.HR professionalAgainst fake job ads circulating in the company's name, communicate the authentic channels.employeeAsk for training and a reporting channel for fraud attempts at the company.surveyGallup: AI is so far bringing inequalities to the labour marketemployeeAccess to AI and AI skills create income differences, so it is worth actively building hands-on experience.HR professionalManaging fair access to AI and training is an inequality risk.surveyMore than half of UK firms expect AI to cut headcount, CFOs sayemployeeHeadcount cuts feature in CFOs' plans, so it is worth assessing how exposed your own role is.HR professionalIn workforce planning, the AI impact and the cost of retraining need to be handled together.caseAmazon uses AI-powered risk system to track union activity worldwideemployeeCheck the legal protection of data collected about organising, and ask for transparency.HR professionalAI monitoring of employee representation poses significant legal and reputational risk.regulationCalifornia employment law changes for 2027: Newsom signed the package on 30 SeptemberHR professionalCalifornia employers need to build the 2027 rules into internal policies in advance.SME ownerWith a presence in California, have a legal expert review the new obligations.skillsIndia: AI skills redraw the entry-level jobs map as IT-BPM fresher hiring reboundsearly-career professionalAI skills now differentiate candidates in IT-BPM entry-level jobs too, so applicants should bring practical AI know-how.HR professionalAssessing AI skills will become part of selection in entry-level recruitment.surveyUS CEOs say AI will create jobs in KPMG survey; Nilekani calls job doom 'disaster marketing'managerManagerial optimism needs to be backed by a concrete retraining and internal mobility plan.employeeAlongside management messaging, it is worth asking how your own position will change in concrete terms.toolHR tech: agent-based recruiting and HR platforms arrive in quick successionHR professionalWhen buying, check ATS integration, data handling and candidate acceptance up front.SME ownerSeveral tools used together can break the hiring process, so one well-integrated solution is preferable.surveySingapore workers adopt AI faster than global peers but feel less secure in their jobs, PwC survey findsemployeeHigh AI use does not mean job security, so it is worth taking up reskilling programmes.HR professionalWithout incentives and supporting systems, AI use will not scale beyond pilots.advertising marketHumanly acquires CareerArc and HR Path buys SnapAI in AI recruiting dealsHR professionalThe vendor market is consolidating, so pay attention to support and data-handling terms in contracts.caseWorkday CEO says AI will replace outsourced jobs firstmanagerWhen renewing outsourcing contracts, consider which services AI could replace.employeeFor people doing routine outsourced tasks, faster retraining may be the best defence.skillsTraining pledges: Verizon $70 million, FIT 400,000 people, Grab trains drivers in AIemployeeTake advantage of free or employer-provided AI training before your position changes.HR professionalExternal training partnerships and programmes can reduce internal training costs.caseZoho chooses retraining over AI-driven layoffs while Israel Aerospace Industries slows hiringHR professionalRetraining and a hiring freeze are alternatives to layoffs, backed by an internal mobility programme.employeeIt is worth making use of internal retraining opportunities.surveyEmployees fake AI use at work to impress their bossesmanagerCheck actual practice behind AI usage figures with interviews and outcome measures.HR professionalDo not reward AI adoption metrics based on self-reporting, as it skews results.skillsUS cybersecurity job postings fall 26% as demand for AI security engineers risesemployeeIn cybersecurity, it is worth upskilling towards AI security specialisation.job seekerTraditional security positions are shrinking, while those tied to AI security are expanding.caseBird CEO cut staff from over 1,000 to 120 and says AI raises the value of 'high-agency' generalistsemployeeAutonomy and the ability to work across several areas may be more valuable in the AI era.managerThe implications of the small, AI-using team model for areas of responsibility also need to be reconsidered.caseAustralian firm offers workers money to replace themselves with AIemployeeAn incentive for automating your own tasks should be weighed against your employment contract and your future role.managerSuch an incentive can work only with clear terms that protect the employee's position.layoffs'I trained the AI that took my job': iGaming workers face layoffsemployeeBefore taking part in AI training, clarify the future of your role and the terms of the agreement.HR professionalDismissing staff after a knowledge transfer carries ethical and retention risks.regulationRobot tax debate: Bill Gates says pension contributions should still be paid on work a robot displacesmanagerThe possibility of a robot or AI tax may also affect the cost calculation of replacing labour.caseDenmark's largest retailer trains humanoid robots for the night shiftemployeeIn shops, the night shift may be the first area where humanoid robots appear.managerPlan robot deployment by weighing labour shortages and employment impact together.surveyAI-exposed jobs outpace others on pay growth, Indeed data showsemployeeIn an AI-exposed role, the pay advantage may shift towards those who work with AI.HR professionalAI skills are worth examining separately in the pay structure.caseIrish tech union membership grows fivefold amid AI-driven layoffsemployeeCollective representation can be a relevant tool in the tech sector too, for shaping how layoffs and AI use are handled.HR professionalExpect a stronger union presence in negotiations on layoffs and AI rollouts.regulationChina prepares state programme to address AI's labour-market impactHR professionalThe direction of state responses will also affect workforce planning at companies operating in the Chinese market.caseMicrosoft runs AI agents in its own HR department, with no figures publishedHR professionalWithout measurable results, vendor case studies offer little basis; run your own pilot and use your own metrics.surveyFewer than 5% of Australian entry-level jobs involve AI, study findsearly-career professionalAI skills are still rarely a requirement at entry level, so proficiency can set a candidate apart.

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Issue 11

IMF chief warns AI is hitting jobs like a slow-moving tsunami

Who is affected and how

Nearly 200,000 US job cuts since 2023 have cited AI, report says

AI erodes entry-level jobs, leaving HR to rebuild the talent pipeline

ECB's Lane: AI may weaken euro zone workers' bargaining power

PwC: AI is splitting the labour market, and most workers are left without training

Hungary

More key stories of the week

US AI hiring laws and discrimination liability in vendor contracts

78% of managers used AI in performance reviews; only 16% of employees were told

Kroger to cut 3,000 corporate jobs over three years as it expands AI use

AI agent interviews with AI recruiter: bots stuck in loop, $150K salary negotiation falls to $60K

Job ads increasingly name AI skills: Claude, ChatGPT and the 'AI stack'

McKinsey makes job applicants debate an AI client in interviews

US startup's AI avatar passes as human in job interview test, fooling 48% of participants

Workers want to use more AI but fear being replaced

IMF: job demand in AI-exposed occupations in Asia falls by nearly 10%

Workday introduces autonomous AI agents for HR, payroll and finance

Junior jobs shrink at Anthropic as AI agents work six times more hours

AI-polished CVs are recruiters' top stressor

In brief