AI RESTRUCTURING SPARKS GLOBAL LAYOFFS ACROSS MAJOR MNCs

By Neha Kapoor · 2026-09-28

Artificial‑intelligence‑driven reorganisations are sweeping the world’s biggest multinationals. Disney, Uber, Oracle, Visa and other firms have confirmed large‑scale job cuts as they streamline operations and shift spending toward AI‑centric products, a move that reverberates across sectors and fuels multinational layoffs. For Indian job seekers and employees, this creates both risk and new opportunities, especially in tech‑enabled roles.

DISNEY CONFIRMS AI‑CENTRIC RESTRUCTURING

Disney’s legal chief Horacio Gutierrez sent a stark memo to staff. The internal note warned that “some of you will personally be affected” as the entertainment giant trims its workforce to align with an AI‑focused strategy, confirming the speculation first reported by CBN in June. No headcount was disclosed, indicating a targeted reduction rather than a blanket layoff.

ORACLE CLOSES IN ON 30,000‑JOB EXIT

Oracle is approaching the final phase of what may become its biggest workforce reduction in recent memory. According to a News18 report, the tech giant expects nearly 30,000 employees to leave the company by June 15, 2026, as it completes a multi‑year AI‑driven restructuring plan. The cuts are part of a broader effort to reallocate resources toward cloud services and generative‑AI tools.

UBER’S GLOBAL CUTS REACH 10 % OF STAFF

Uber announced two related moves that together affect roughly 3,400 jobs worldwide. A September 2 press release (MSN) stated that the ride‑hailing firm will slash about 10 % of its global workforce, roughly 3,400 positions, in a bid to consolidate operations. In the United States, the company is also eliminating 93 roles in Washington state, part of a 3,300‑job corporate overhaul that includes curbing remote work and concentrating staff in core office hubs (Latestly).

VISA TARGETS 2,600 EXECUTIVE‑LEVEL POSITIONS

India’s business portal India.com reported that Visa is cutting around 2,600 jobs – about 7 % of its global headcount – focusing on senior executives, engineering leaders and research professionals. The payment network is reshaping its organisation around AI, aiming to accelerate product development and improve fraud‑detection capabilities.

BROADER TECH SECTOR IMPACT

The International Business Times Australia highlighted that more than 30,000 tech jobs have been eliminated globally in early 2026, with the United States alone accounting for 24,600 cuts. Companies such as Apple, PayPal and Microsoft are also part of the AI‑driven downsizing spree, underscoring a sector‑wide pivot toward automation and generative‑AI platforms (IBTimes).

IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIAN PROFESSIONALS

India’s talent pool is a key hiring ground for many of these multinationals. The reductions could translate into fewer entry‑level openings in traditional roles, while demand for AI‑related skills – data science, machine learning engineering and AI product management – is likely to rise. Candidates with hybrid expertise in domain knowledge and AI tools may find themselves better positioned for the next wave of hiring.

HOW EMPLOYEES CAN PREPARE

Enroll in a certified machine‑learning course to master AI fundamentals and stay relevant.
Showcase projects that blend business insight with technical implementation, highlighting cross‑functional experience on your resume.
Proactively ask managers about upcoming AI initiatives and signal interest in internal mobility programs.
Monitor internal job boards—[Browse AI‑focused roles on our job board](/jobs)—before they appear publicly.

Frequently asked questions

Which Indian‑based MNCs are cutting jobs due to AI restructuring?

The layoffs affect Disney, Uber, Oracle, Visa and other global tech firms, with Visa alone eliminating about 2,600 roles worldwide.

How many total jobs have been cut globally in the tech sector so far in 2026?

More than 30,000 tech positions have been eliminated worldwide, with the United States accounting for roughly 24,600 of those cuts.

Are the layoffs limited to low‑skill roles?

These cuts are not limited to low‑skill roles; senior executives, engineering leaders and research professionals are also being targeted.

What sectors are most likely to see new hiring after these cuts?

Hiring is expected to grow in AI development, cloud infrastructure and data analytics as firms reallocate resources toward AI‑driven products.