Issue 12
Viewpoint
layoffs · United Kingdom
Barclays to cut 5,000 jobs and redirect the savings into AI
UK bank Barclays said on 22 October that it will eliminate about 5,000 jobs, roughly 5% of its workforce, by the end of 2026. The bank says AI makes staff more productive and that it is redirecting spending towards AI.
Who is affected and how
- employee
- Employees in banking and office roles should map which of their tasks can be automated and document their experience with AI-supported workflows.
- manager
- Job cuts and AI investment are already being communicated together in the sector, so the rationale for your own headcount plan should be framed accordingly.
- HR professional
- Prepare redeployment, communication and retraining plans for areas where AI efficiency is the official reason for job cuts.
survey · global
Entry-level jobs are shrinking, according to Stanford, Korn Ferry and Hungarian articles
A Stanford dashboard shows employment among 22–25-year-olds in AI-exposed occupations such as software and customer service falling by 4.4% a year. Korn Ferry says AI is redefining entry-level work…
early-career professionalEntry-level positions are shrinking, so it is hard to get in without practical projects, an internship and use of AI tools.job seekerWhen applying for junior roles, put a concrete, verifiable sample of AI-based work in front of the application.managerA hollowed-out entry level threatens the future pipeline of managers, so it is worth deliberately keeping junior programmes going.HR professionalHiring criteria and mentoring must be redesigned, because AI is taking over the traditional entry-level tasks.survey · United StatesJob cuts citing AI are rising, but labour-market data challenge the explanation
Challenger data show AI is the most cited reason for US layoffs this year, though the totals reported in the articles differ, ranging from 112,713 to 191,961. Analysts say an AI reference often masks…
employeeBehind an announcement citing AI there is often a budget reason, so assess the real risk to your own job by how automatable its tasks are.manager"AI efficiency" as a justification is now under outside scrutiny, so the real reasons for job cuts need to be communicated precisely.HR professionalIn layoff communication, separate automation, cost reduction and restructuring, because the public and the trade press are examining exactly this.survey · United StatesGoldman: AI could displace 9–10% of workers, but layoffs are waiting for a recession
A Goldman Sachs analysis says AI could displace about one in 11 workers, roughly ten per cent, in the coming years. According to the articles, mass layoffs are likely to be delayed until a recession.
employeeExposure does not mean immediate dismissal, but an economic slowdown could speed up decisions, so skills development should not be put off.managerStrategic planning should cover two scenarios: gradual automation now and accelerated restructuring in a downturn.HR professionalA job-exposure map and a retraining budget are needed even while the economy is doing well.regulation · European UnionEU AI Act: recruitment AI is high-risk and HR faces obligations
Guides say the AI Act's high-risk requirements apply to systems used for recruitment and selection under point 4 of Annex III. The articles discuss the deadlines, obligations and the questions HR…
HR professionalAssess the recruitment and evaluation AI tools in use, and put in place the documentation and human oversight required for the high-risk category.managerSupplier contracts should require AI compliance and explainability of decisions.job seekerIn the EU, candidates can demand stronger transparency about algorithmic selection.Hungary
surveyHungarian trade press: skills shortage may stall AI adoptionmanagerAI adoption may stall because of the skills shortage, so in-house training and retention matter as much as buying tools.HR professionalTo forecast needs three years ahead, build a skills inventory.surveyAI splits the HR profession into two camps, Hungarian survey findsHR professionalAdministrative tasks are best left to AI, while your own role should be developed in a data-driven, strategic direction.managerThe HR head must decide whether to position the team as an administrative or a strategic partner.caseFlood of AI-generated résumés disrupts hiring, Hungarian recruiters complain toojob seekerA templated, AI-written résumé is not enough: show unique, measurable results and your own voice.HR professionalStrengthen candidate verification, such as an in-person interview or a practical task, alongside résumé screening.recruitmentHungarian AI recruiting platform receives HUF 100 million investment from OUVCHR professionalAn AI platform for Hungarian blue-collar recruitment has appeared on the market; it is worth comparing with existing tools.opinionHungarian professional debate: does AI take or create jobs?employeeThe Hungarian debate stresses handling more tasks rather than replacement, so broadening skills is the defence.managerThe aim is to rethink efficiency and human capacity, not only to cut headcount.recruitmentFoxconn Slovakia launches large-scale hiring drive in Nitrajob seekerManufacturing and supply roles are still being filled in the region, while AI is changing which skills are in demand.
More key stories of the week
case · United States
Court document: Amazon used AI to rank how likely workers were to form a union
A document disclosed in the case between Canadian union Unifor and Amazon shows that Amazon used an AI tool to track workers and rank how likely they were to form a union. According to IBTimes UK…
employeeOpinions shared on workplace platforms and public forums may be analysed, so it is worth knowing what data the employer collects.HR professionalTools that estimate sentiment or organising risk carry legal and reputational risk, and need legal review before use.managerIf employee monitoring becomes public, it can damage negotiations and trust.case · globalAnthropic's junior technical hiring share falls from 27% to 9%
Anthropic's own data show that junior technical hires fell from 27% to 9% of hires, while its workforce has grown older and spends more time in meetings. Hungarian sources say the recruiter's role is…
early-career professionalEven at companies that build AI, the entry level is narrowing, so graduates need projects and AI skills to stand out.HR professionalThe recruiter's role is changing, so it is worth planning a model supported by agents that carries less administrative burden.managerCutting junior positions threatens the pipeline of future managers in the long run.tool · globalOracle, Workday, isolved and UKG roll out AI agents in HR processes
Oracle introduced agentic HR applications, Workday presented AI agents for HR, finance and IT workflows, isolved is placing AI agents on the org chart, and UKG announced AI capabilities aimed at the…
HR professionalAgents from HR system vendors need their responsibility and permission frameworks defined in advance.managerAn agent can be part of the org chart, so the manager must name an owner and set the checkpoints.layoffs · globalCompanies link AI spending to headcount decisions; European banks lead
According to an AP roundup on 23 October, several companies have announced layoffs or hiring freezes in connection with their AI spending. Another analysis says European banks are quietly shrinking…
employeeIn finance and other office sectors, budget reallocation can pose a direct job risk.managerCapital flowing into AI comes at the expense of headcount, so budget requests need to justify the role of human capacity.HR professionalWorkforce planning should be aligned with the AI investment cycle.survey · globalAI agents are team members, but no one knows who is responsible for them
A Gartner survey found that only 4% of technology leaders have a plan to align roles with a combined agent–human workforce. According to Axios, no one knows who should manage AI agents.
managerAn owner and accountability for AI agents must be assigned before they take on live tasks.HR professionalHR must develop a model for onboarding agents, defining their roles and evaluating them.employeeIn a team working alongside agents, it must be clear what remains a human decision.survey · AsiaDemand for AI skills in Singapore job ads more than triples
Data from Jobstreet by SEEK show that demand for AI skills in Singapore has more than tripled. Job ads mentioning AI have also grown more than threefold.
job seekerAI knowledge is becoming a baseline expectation in job ads, so a CV should show concrete tool use.HR professionalJob descriptions should state the expected level of AI skills precisely, so that recruitment is not blind.survey · United StatesAI skills carry a pay premium, but pay bands are not moving
Robert Half survey data show companies offer higher pay to applicants with AI skills; another report puts the AI-skills premium at nearly $18,000, while pay bands are not rising. Questions about AI…
job seekerBack up AI skills with concrete results in interviews and salary negotiations.employeeThe premium may appear outside internal pay bands, in new offers, so it is worth considering an outside offer.HR professionalManage the tension between pay bands and the market premium for AI skills so key people are not lost.tool · United StatesAI recruiting agents: Dayforce to buy Ribbon AI, Findem launches ReadySlate, Gap uses AI for seasonal hiring
Dayforce is acquiring Ribbon AI to build conversational interviews into its platform, Findem is promising candidate slates produced by AI agents with ReadySlate, and Gap is using AI for seasonal…
HR professionalAI recruiting tools promise speed, but vendor claims should be checked against your own metrics.job seekerThe first screening is increasingly automated, so both the résumé and the format of the conversation should be adapted to it.survey · globalData: AI is holding back future hiring more than it is cutting existing headcount
A Japanese observer finds that companies investing heavily in AI kept their headcount, with the decline showing up in "future hiring". Experian's economist says AI expectations are slowing…
job seekerWith fewer open office positions, expect longer job searches.managerThe key decision is rethinking open positions rather than headcount.HR professionalReview the hiring plan quarterly with AI's impact in mind.regulationOntario public-sector unions press province for workplace AI safeguards
Ontario public-sector unions are asking the province for safeguards on the use of AI in the workplace. Another analysis argues that sectoral bargaining is key to protecting workers during the…
employeeCollective agreements may also include clauses on AI use and notification.HR professionalPublic-sector employers should prepare for union demands on AI.survey · AsiaIMF: hiring in AI-exposed jobs in Asia fell by about 10%
An IMF regional report says hiring in the occupations most exposed to AI in Asia has fallen by roughly 10%. The report adds that new skills are opening up new career pathways.
employeeThe drop in demand in exposed occupations is real, so broadening AI skills can offer protection.job seekerExpect fewer postings for AI-exposed positions, and build skills aimed at the new roles.survey · globalWorkers spend more time correcting AI errors than doing actual work, surveys find
Surveys and Hungarian-language reports find that many workers spend more time fixing generative AI errors than on substantive work. Some companies are therefore cutting back their AI spending.
employeeTrack and report the time spent checking AI output, as it determines the real productivity gain.managerInclude correction time in productivity metrics, otherwise the return on AI investment is distorted.In brief
surveyUS cybersecurity job postings fell 26.4% while AI roles growemployeeSecurity professionals should broaden their skills toward AI red-teaming, governance and SOC automation.job seekerGeneral cybersecurity postings are shrinking while AI security roles are growing.HR professionalIn security recruiting, update the skills profile toward AI governance and red-teaming.caseJust over a third of EU small employers use AI to monitor performance as monitoring faces legal challengesemployeeWorkers should know the legal framework for AI monitoring at work and ask employers to disclose the criteria used to measure them.HR professionalFor AI-based performance measurement, set rules on proportionality, notification and human review.surveyRecruiters are faster with AI but do not trust the candidates it selectsHR professionalFast AI screening should be paired with a validated assessment step to build trust in selection.job seekerBecause profiles are ranked by AI, it is worth highlighting concrete, verifiable achievements.surveyMore than half of managers find it harder to evaluate staff work produced with AImanagerRedesign how goals and output quality are defined for AI-accelerated work, rather than measuring volume.employeeDocument which parts of the work involved human judgment, so your contribution is visible at review time.HR professionalRework the evaluation system for roles that use AI.surveyNearly half of employers say AI makes a degree more importantearly-career professionalA degree remains a screening criterion, so it is not worth giving up even in the AI era.HR professionalDegree requirements may clash with inclusive recruitment and are worth reviewing.layoffsAmerican Express to cut 5% of workforce in AI-driven restructuringemployeeIn financial services, expect further steps in the wave of cuts, so keep your documented performance results up to date and transparent.HR professionalSuccessive layoffs at banks and financial firms justify planning redeployment and voluntary-exit programmes.surveyPwC: employees who use AI confidently report better career prospects and job securityemployeeRegular, confident use of an AI tool brings a career and job-security advantage.managerWithout AI training the gap in the team widens, so a targeted training programme is needed.HR professionalMeasuring AI skills in hiring and promotion is becoming increasingly important.survey45% of workers use shadow AI, and many hide it from their bossesemployeeHandle your own AI use according to company rules; an approved tool is the safer choice.managerWithout a clear AI-use policy, shadow AI is a data and compliance risk.HR professionalAn AI policy must be drawn up and communicated, otherwise use stays hidden.regulationCalifornia's new workplace AI laws: eight takeaways for HRHR professionalFor companies with US offices, the California rules call for an immediate compliance check.managerFor US operations, legal responsibility for AI-based decisions also falls at management level.caseSome companies are asking workers replaced by AI to returnemployeeReplacement is not always permanent, so keeping contacts and knowledge can be valuable.managerReplacing staff with AI too early can force a costly reversal, so a gradual rollout is advisable.toolSAP to acquire workforce-optimisation specialist TechWolfHR professionalSkills-based workforce planning is becoming part of the large HR platforms, so the SAP integration is worth following.managerSkills-based headcount planning may become a vendor standard in future.opinionTech leaders offer conflicting predictions on AI and work: Gates, Griffin, Schmidt and AltmanemployeeThe statements conflict, so weigh the data against the tasks of your own role.managerAgents may transform the executive role, so prepare for changes in your own job.recruitmentAI interviews: one-way videos, candidates preparing with AI, Google's AI overhauljob seekerPrepare for an AI interview on content, structure and tone; AI tools can be used for practice but do not replace the candidate.HR professionalThe scoring criteria of the AI interview and the human review must be documented.surveyIndia: 65% of new GCC roles require AI skills, AI engineer pay reaches up to Rs 1 croreemployeeIn India's market, AI skills carry a pay and career premium, and practical training counts.managerAs GCCs expand, AI skills are becoming a baseline hiring requirement.surveyBursting of an AI bubble could accelerate automation-driven job lossesemployeeIn a downturn after an AI bubble, automation could accelerate, so build savings and transferable skills.managerPlanning should account for the fact that a recession may bring further automation.layoffsQualcomm to start global job cuts in November; eBay to cut 1,000 jobsemployeeThe Qualcomm example shows a performance review can precede layoffs, so documenting your performance matters during the review period.HR professionalLayoffs based on performance reviews carry legal and communication risk, so a pre-agreed process is needed.regulationSingapore launches year-long internships for 3,000 students to counter AI threat to entry-level jobsearly-career professionalLong internship programmes are a public-policy response to the shrinking entry level, so it is worth looking for similar opportunities at home.HR professionalThe year-long internship model can serve as a guide for retaining the entry level.surveyWho gets AI's productivity gains? Executives and researchers debateemployeeThe distribution of productivity gains may become a bargaining issue, so it is worth quantifying AI-driven results in pay negotiations.managerHow gains are shared (pay, bonuses, shorter hours) is a retention factor.surveyWomen in AI roles and the pay gap: the risk for employersHR professionalHiring for AI roles requires separate checks on gender balance and pay equity.skillsIntel and FIT launch AI workforce programme and dedicated AI lab in Irelandjob seekerNew AI apprenticeship and course opportunities have opened in Ireland.HR professionalThe partnership between industry and education offers a model for building AI skills.surveyOlder workers learn to use AI as IMF forecast raises early-retirement risk at 6350+/seniorAI skills are a way to keep a job, while retiring early is a decision that permanently lowers benefits.surveyWorkplace AI use data: Microsoft's figure checked, UK employees leadHR professionalAI adoption rates depend on the source, so it is worth measuring your own data internally.surveyValoir: HR use of AI has doubled, but confidence remains lowHR professionalWith AI use growing fast, training and quality control are preconditions for confidence.surveyWhere in the US the most jobs are exposed to AIemployeeExposure is geographically concentrated, so upskilling is more urgent in the affected regions.caseIndian workers film their own work to train AIemployeeRecording your own workflow can be a tool for AI training, so clarify usage rights in the contract.regulationAnthropic would assign 5% of its shares to a public-interest fund over economic shocksemployeeVoluntary funds set up by AI companies are one possible source of support for displaced workers, though the details are not yet clear.