Tech Layoffs Reach 59,000 in 2026 at 704 Jobs Per Day — One in Five Explicitly AI-Driven, Pattern Targets SaaS Core Functions
IBTimes UK·medium signal
As of March 2026, 171 separate layoff events have hit 59,121 tech workers since January, averaging 704 jobs lost per day. Over 9,200 layoffs (roughly 1 in 5) are directly attributed to AI adoption and automation. The roles disappearing follow a clear pattern matching SaaS category disruption: software operations, customer support, logistics planning, financial modeling, content moderation, and marketing analytics — exactly the functions where AI agents have become competent replacements, not just assistants.