Tech Layoffs Reach 142,000 in 2026: Profitable Companies Cut Jobs to Fund $700B AI Infrastructure

Tech sector layoffs crossed 142,000 in 2026 as Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta together commit roughly $700 billion in AI capital expenditure, nearly double 2025. Goldman Sachs estimates AI-attributed payroll cuts at U.S. employers are running over 16,000 per month, with software roles disproportionately hit.