Longevity, influence and the social media trap: Who do we trust with our health?
In a world where six-pack abs are flaunted more than six-point health plans, who are we really trusting […]
IBM cuts 8000 jobs as AI takes over HR – is this progress, or a warning shot?
This wave of redundancies is part of a broader trend across the tech industry, where automation is being used to streamline operations and cut costs.
IBM has announced it will lay off around 8,000 employees, mostly in Human Resources, as the company deepens its integration of artificial intelligence. This wave of redundancies is part of a broader trend across the tech industry, where automation is being used to streamline operations and cut costs.
The arguments
IBM’s move is more than a headline—it’s a signpost. As companies across sectors eye AI as a cost-cutting solution, we’re seeing the first ripple effects of automation at scale. Whether this ushers in a smarter, leaner workforce or opens the door to widespread displacement depends on how businesses—and societies—respond.
Pro-AI Efficiency
IBM argues that AI boosts productivity by freeing humans from routine work. Employees can focus on tasks requiring creativity, judgment, and innovation. The company insists this transformation allows for reallocation, not elimination.
Job Security Concerns
Critics see a red flag. If AI is already replacing hundreds of HR jobs, what’s to stop the same from happening in other departments? For many, this feels like a slippery slope—especially for industries built on standardised processes.
Corporate Spin?
Saying overall headcount is increasing may mask the deeper reality: AI is enabling labour reshuffling, but not necessarily labour protection. While tech-savvy roles grow, many existing workers may not be easily retrained or redeployed.
Human vs. Machine
The growing reliance on AI raises existential questions about the future of human-centred workspaces. What happens when the ‘human’ in Human Resources becomes optional?
The facts
HR is the most affected, with 200 roles already replaced by AI tools.
IBM has introduced AI systems to handle tasks like data organisation, employee queries, and internal documentation—routine responsibilities traditionally handled by human staff.
The goal is to automate low-value, repetitive tasks, making operations more efficient.
CEO Arvind Krishna claims the layoffs are part of a strategic shift. Despite the cuts, IBM’s overall headcount is reportedly growing, with resources redirected toward software, marketing, and sales.
HR Chief Nickle LaMoreaux stated that “very few roles will be completely replaced,” positioning AI as a collaborator rather than a job destroyer.
