Overview

• IBM has eliminated approximately 8,000 positions—primarily within its human resources department—following an internal rollout of AI agents that now handle routine HR tasks.
• CEO Arvind Krishna says overall headcount has grown because cost savings from automation are reinvested into areas such as software development, marketing, and sales.
• At its annual Think conference, IBM introduced AI tools designed to help clients build and manage their own AI agents alongside platforms from OpenAI, Amazon, and Microsoft.
• Chief Human Resources Officer Nickle LaMoreaux confirms that AI now writes performance reviews, creates development plans and coaches managers while freeing employees for higher-value decision-making.
• Rival tech firms including Microsoft, Google, Duolingo and Shopify have announced similar AI-driven job cuts, underscoring an industry-wide shift toward automation and a push for reskilling.