Why are New York companies not citing AI for layoffs?

No companies in New York have cited technological innovation or automation, including AI, as the reason for mass layoffs in their official filings since the question was added last March.

How many companies in New York reported mass layoffs?

Over 160 companies in New York have filed notices for mass layoffs since last March, affecting nearly 28,300 workers.

Did companies like Amazon or Goldman Sachs cite AI for their layoffs in New York?

No, despite adopting AI tools, companies like Amazon and Goldman Sachs did not attribute their workforce reductions to technological innovation or automation in their New York layoff filings.

Home / Business and Economy / NY Layoffs: AI Use Remains Unreported

NY Layoffs: AI Use Remains Unreported

9 Feb

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Summary

Over 160 NY companies filed for mass layoffs since last March.
No employer cited technological innovation or automation as a reason.
New York's unique question on layoff filings yielded no AI-related responses.

In New York state, over 160 companies have reported mass layoffs since last March, affecting nearly 28,300 workers. A unique question added to layoff filings asked employers to cite technological innovation or automation, including AI, as a reason. However, as of the end of January, no business has indicated this as a cause for workforce reductions.

Major companies like Amazon and Goldman Sachs, which are known AI adopters, have filed layoff notices. Despite internal discussions linking some job cuts to AI's productivity potential, public filings do not reflect this. Companies may face reputational risks or find it challenging to directly attribute layoffs to technological advancements.

New York's Department of Labor, under Governor Kathy Hochul's directive, implemented this specific inquiry to gauge AI's impact. The data suggests that current layoff drivers remain traditional, such as economic reasons, rather than direct AI replacement of human workers.