‘Efficiency’ era: Big Tech embraces AI-led cuts; how job security vanished in 2025

In 2025, ‘efficiency’ became the dominant corporate mantra, driving widespread layoffs and hiring freezes across Big Tech and the federal government. Companies are leveraging AI to automate tasks and reduce middle management, aiming for higher profits. This trend was amplified by the public sector’s Department of Government Efficiency, which implemented aggressive workforce reductions.