Issue 13

Oct 26 – Nov 1, 2026 · 53 stories · 12 of them from Hungary

Viewpoint

Microsoft offers voluntary buyouts to about 60,000 employees

Microsoft announced a voluntary exit programme on 26 October for about 60,000 employees, roughly 27% of its global workforce, and it also covers management levels. Data-centre workers are excluded; the company aims to restrain operating costs while spending heavily on AI.

Oct 26, 2026 · 46 sources

Who is affected and how

employee: Eligible staff can weigh the package, but the figure of 60,000 is the number of people eligible, not planned layoffs.
manager: Because the scheme extends up to VP level, management positions may also open up, so teams should prepare for reorganisation.
HR professional: A voluntary exit programme is a model to follow as an alternative to layoffs, but the actual number of leavers is not yet known.

layoffs · United States

Some AI-attributed layoffs are being reversed as companies recall workers

According to AP and other sources, after AI-justified layoffs some companies are quickly rehiring, having "pulled the plug" too early. SHL research finds that replaced workers would ask for higher…

employeeA worker laid off with AI cited as the reason may be in a strong bargaining position if recalled, and can ask for more on both pay and security.job seekerBefore accepting a recall offer, it is worth weighing the pay and security terms.managerRapid AI-based headcount cuts can bring rehiring costs and loss of knowledge, so risk should be assessed before deciding.HR professionalOffers to returning staff must allow for higher pay and security expectations.survey · United States

AI becomes the leading cited reason for layoffs, but the justification is disputed

According to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, US employers attributed 120,136 job cuts to AI, the top cited reason this year. One analysis says twenty companies cut 140,000 tech jobs citing AI, but the…

employeeAI-attributed layoff explanations should be read critically; assess the risk to your own role by how automatable its specific tasks are.managerInvestors and employees may both question an AI-based justification, so communication should be backed by facts.HR professionalCiting AI in layoff communication carries a credibility risk.survey · global

Graduate job ads fall 22% and hit decade low as AI and costs weigh on entry-level hiring

One report says graduate job ads fell 22%, while another says graduate jobs have dropped to their lowest in a decade because of AI and rising costs. In Canada, the hiring rate for young people has…

early-career professionalThe entry level is narrowing, so practical experience and AI skills need to be built during studies.job seekerWith fewer ads for new graduates, job seekers need to search through more channels.HR professionalThe disappearance of entry-level tasks threatens the in-house training pipeline, so internship programmes need to be redesigned.survey · United States

Goldman: workers displaced by AI search longer for jobs and suffer lasting setbacks

Goldman Sachs research finds that workers displaced by AI wait a month longer for new jobs, and the layoffs may leave a lasting "scar". Another summary says AI layoffs have become quieter, but…

employeeIn case of layoffs, prepare for a longer job search and for a financial reserve.job seekerIn sectors affected by AI the search takes longer, so it is worth considering retraining early.50+/seniorBecause the effect is lasting, the risk of a long gap after dismissal deserves closer attention.

Hungary

surveyFear of job losses may slow AI adoption at Hungarian companiesemployeeJob-loss fears and AI should be discussed openly with your manager.managerResistance to AI adoption is best eased through honest communication, not pressure.HR professionalIt is worth running an AI-readiness survey before rollout.SME ownerWithout involving the team, an AI project can stall.surveyAlmost everyone has used AI at home, but only a small share of Hungarian businesses doSME ownerAI adoption at work is still at an early stage, so both the risk of falling behind and the chance to gain an edge remain open.employeeAI experience gained at home can be turned into an advantage at work.HR professionalEmployees' private use of AI is untapped internal capacity.surveySkilled trades worth their weight in gold, Hungarian managers squeezed out: new fault lines in the domestic labour marketHR professionalAlongside AI recruitment, a separate method is needed to screen for real competence.managerThe skilled-labour shortage and the reshuffling of management positions call for a pay and retention strategy.job seekerAs a skilled worker you hold a strong bargaining position; as a manager, expect tougher competition.surveyHungarian article says first big losers of the AI revolution have emerged before machines took jobs skillsHungarian HR leaders discuss how AI is reshaping corporate learningHR professionalThe L&D plan should be adapted to AI-based forms of learning.employeeEmployees can expect AI-supported formats in in-house training.skillsAI enters training programmes for entrepreneurs and SMEs in HungarySME ownerThe SME training programme offers access to AI education.employeeThe university AI course is an opportunity for further training.surveyTenant survey in Hungary suggests AI fever may also affect the office marketmanagerAI adoption may affect office space demand and headcount planning.caseChinese robots could also endanger Hungarian jobsemployeeIn physical, repetitive roles, automation is arriving gradually.managerRobotisation investments need a retraining plan alongside them.surveyWhich jobs in Nógrád County are threatened by artificial intelligence?employeeAI exposure can also be examined at local level in the county labour market.toolHR Portal examines where AI-based payroll automation actually standsHR professionalWhen automating payroll tasks with AI, weigh the real maturity of the tools and the risk of errors.caseAI in customer service: efficiency or burnout?employeeAutomation in customer service can also bring a heavier workload.managerAt a contact centre, the impact of AI should also be tracked through burnout indicators.surveyDoes AI really threaten jobs in the food industry?employeeProfessional analysis shows how exposed food-industry players are to AI.

In brief

surveyEmployees and employers are not on the same page about AIemployeeIt is worth asking your manager openly about your own AI-related risk.managerAI rollout should not be launched without transparent communication and training.HR professionalThe AI training programme and lines of responsibility should be set up at the same time as the rollout.skillsJob postings get longer and conditions more specific in the AI era, JobKorea findsjob seekerLonger, more specific postings call for applications tailored to them.HR professionalThe skills requirements in postings should be updated to match AI-affected roles.layoffsApple, American Express and a San Francisco AI firm cut staff, citing AI restructuringemployeeRestructuring that cites AI is not limited to big names or AI companies, so the risk to a given position is worth assessing continuously.HR professionalCommunicating layoffs and handling severance packages is a priority task.surveyHalf of job seekers are rejected without hearing from a person, and many are not told AI was involvedjob seekerExpect AI screening when you apply, so it is worth optimising your CV for the filters as well.HR professionalDisclosing the use of AI screening and giving human feedback matter for employer branding as well as for legal risk.survey46% of Canadian CEOs eye AI-driven growth with smaller staff, poll showsemployeeManagers will expect the same output from a smaller headcount, so AI use will become part of performance.managerHeadcount plans should be based on a realistic measurement of AI productivity gains.HR professionalAI scenarios need to be built into strategic workforce planning.regulationChina orders employment-risk reviews before AI deployment in workforce-heavy sectorsmanagerFor operations in China, an employment impact assessment must be carried out before AI projects start.HR professionalHeadcount and skills data will have to be produced for the impact assessments.recruitmentGap deploys AI recruiting tool for holiday season hiringjob seekerApplicants for seasonal retail jobs may encounter an AI assistant.HR professionalIn high-volume seasonal hiring, an AI assistant can reduce the screening workload.platform changeLinkedIn's AI recruiters and recruitment firms' business-model shifts redraw the job huntjob seekerPay attention to optimising your profile and keywords for AI recruiters.HR professionalAgency recruiters need to build a new value proposition alongside AI tools.layoffsComcast says AI cut service contact rates 20% as sweeping layoffs loomemployeeCustomer service roles are among the top targets for automation.HR professionalIn customer service workforce planning, the AI-driven fall in contact volumes has a direct effect on capacity.regulationColorado attorney general urged to delay and tighten AI hiring disclosure rulesHR professionalReview AI-generated job ads for legal risk and follow Colorado's disclosure obligations.SME ownerAds written with an AI copywriter can also create discrimination liability.layoffsBarclays ties 5,000 job cuts to AI, with developers among affected rolesemployeeDevelopers and other roles in the financial sector are among the targets of the cuts.job seekerThe supply of developer positions in banking may shrink.caseDigital rights group noyb sues Scale AI over 'invasive' surveillance of workersemployeeData workers and platform workers can seek redress under the GDPR.HR professionalReview whether employee monitoring practices comply with the GDPR.skillsConnecticut builds AI workforce training hub with universities and $20 million fundingjob seekerThe state training hub offers a new retraining opportunity.early-career professionalUniversity–state partnerships are opening entry routes into tech.regulationUS state reports from Nevada, Maine and Indiana weigh AI's labour market effectsemployeeLow-wage jobs may split: some become more valuable, others deteriorate.HR professionalState-level transparency proposals may foreshadow later reporting obligations.surveyAI threatens entry-level graduate jobs across Southeast Asiaearly-career professionalUsing AI and assessing it critically may become a condition of entry.job seekerEntry is harder without experience, so project and internship experience is required.surveyZipRecruiter: 53% of workers say AI has made their work more enjoyable; Walmart also trains staffemployeeUse and training increase confidence with AI.HR professionalAI training has a measurable effect on confidence and is worth tracking with an internal survey.surveyNearly half of Singapore employers using AI in HR deploy it for recruitment, SNEF survey findsHR professionalRecruitment is the main HR use of AI, so that is where controls most need to be built.job seekerWhen applying, you are likely to encounter AI screening.skillsToshiba HR chief says entry-level workers should use AI more, not lessearly-career professionalActive use of AI tools at entry level is an advantage, not a risk.HR professionalGuided AI use needs to be built into graduate training.regulationAustralian public servants demand AI safeguards as politicians eye staff savingsemployeePublic-sector workers can seek guarantees on the terms of AI adoption through their unions.caseLao Gan Ma denies mass layoffs after backlash over AI automation claimsmanagerCommunication about AI automation can provoke reactions from employees and the public, so it requires caution.skillsUS industry leaders call for training 1.7 million skilled tradespeople a year as AI advancesearly-career professionalSkilled trades are an alternative career path that is less exposed to AI.job seekerDemand for training and hiring has grown in the skilled trades.surveyGFI survey: 60% of IT professionals use AI daily, but remain cautiousemployeeIn IT work, daily AI use is now an expected basic skill.managerAI use needs to be framed by policies.surveyAI agents are taking over offices: which jobs are most at risk in Europe?employeeThe risk of agent-based automation is growing in office roles.caseNon-believing employee granted religious exemption from using AI at workemployeeMaking AI use mandatory may be open to challenge on religious or conscience grounds.HR professionalIt is worth developing an exemption procedure for AI-use obligations.

← Issue 12 · Issue 14 →

Issue 13

Microsoft offers voluntary buyouts to about 60,000 employees

Who is affected and how

Some AI-attributed layoffs are being reversed as companies recall workers

AI becomes the leading cited reason for layoffs, but the justification is disputed

Graduate job ads fall 22% and hit decade low as AI and costs weigh on entry-level hiring

Goldman: workers displaced by AI search longer for jobs and suffer lasting setbacks

Hungary

More key stories of the week

Goldman: job growth is weaker in industries adopting AI faster

Proton staff must show how they use AI in November skills review, leaked email says

One in five European employees digitally monitored as algorithmic management spreads, Eurofound says

Dutch government plans to cut 25,000 jobs in AI-led overhaul

HR tech turns to agentic recruiting as Dayforce buys Ribbon and new platforms launch

AI skills demand rises in the US: New York job postings nearly triple as employers grow tech teams

IIT Madras study: AI to automate tasks rather than eliminate jobs en masse in India

Two federal courts dismiss AI and keyword hiring bias claims; Sirius XM also wins dismissal

Fake résumés, AI avatars and applicant agents: employers step up checks at interview

US computer science enrolment falls and junior developer hiring drops as AI cuts entry-level jobs

Demand for AI skills in Singapore more than triples; Singtel's NCS to triple its AI specialists

Bank of Korea says AI and IT shift are eroding quality of youth jobs

In brief