Overview
- An IBM spokesperson told CNBC the fourth‑quarter action will affect a low single‑digit percentage of global staff, with U.S. headcount expected to stay roughly flat year over year.
- IBM reported about 270,000 employees at the end of 2024, so a one percent cut would imply roughly 2,700 roles, though the company has not disclosed exact totals or units.
- CEO Arvind Krishna told CNN he expects to hire more college graduates over the next 12 months than in recent years.
- Coverage from Reuters and others frames the reduction as part of IBM’s shift toward high‑margin software, hybrid cloud, and artificial intelligence services.
- Research cited in the reports shows entry‑level roles have declined at AI‑adopting firms, and a Microsoft–LinkedIn survey found 71% of leaders prefer less‑experienced candidates who have AI skills.