Oracle is laying off a large number of employees, a signal of a new world that we must adapt to.
By the editorial team bank finance
An event sent ripples through the tech and labor industries worldwide when Oracle, a global technology company, announced the layoff of tens of thousands of employees via a short email, effective immediately. This led to the crucial question: "Is this becoming the new normal in the workplace?" And if we were Oracle employees who received this email in the morning, how would we respond?
On March 31, 2569, an event sent shockwaves through the tech and labor markets worldwide when numerous employees in various countries received an email from the global technology company Oracle with a short message: "Your position has been terminated, and today is your last day of work." Naturally, all employees who received this Oracle email were caught off guard. While some areas were required to comply with advance notice laws, such as the case in Washington state where 491 employees were laid off under the WARN Act, generally speaking, employees globally learned of the termination via email on the actual day of their layoff.
The exact number of layoffs has not been officially confirmed, but reports from multiple sources suggest it could be as large as 20,000–30,000 positions, a significant proportion of Oracle's total workforce of approximately 162,000. Some estimates suggest that cost savings from these layoffs could boost cash flow by $8,000-10,000 billion.
Interestingly, this round of layoffs isn't due to Oracle having problems. Oracle's financial performance remains strong, particularly its Cloud Infrastructure, AI, and Cloud Application businesses, which continue to grow. Other products are also experiencing double-digit growth. However, the challenge Oracle faces is the pressure from "massive future costs," especially investments in large-scale AI infrastructure and data centers, which require hundreds of billions of dollars.
Some sources indicate that Oracle has budgeted up to $2,100 billion for this restructuring, the majority of which will be spent on layoffs. This clearly reflects that this sudden round of layoffs is not a typical cost-cutting measure, but rather a shift of resources from people to AI.
Looking deeper, Oracle's decision reflects a structural shift in the technology industry. Previously, company growth often meant hiring more people, but in the AI era, growth may mean investing in machines and systems rather than people.
Several reports indicate that some of the eliminated positions are those that companies believe AI can replace or improve. Other tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta are following a similar path. Recent data shows that in 2026 alone, more than 70 tech companies laid off a combined total of over 40,000 employees, and this trend is expected to continue, driven by the same pressure from AI competition.
Oracle's sudden layoffs raise a crucial question: "Is this becoming the new normal in the workplace?" If you were an Oracle employee receiving that email in the morning, it certainly wouldn't feel good. But how do we cope with this? Here are four ways to deal with the possibility of AI replacing your job.
- Have at least 3-6 months' worth of savings: The first thing to do is build a safety net for yourself. The scariest thing about sudden layoffs is the lack of time to prepare. Therefore, to be safer, you should have enough savings to survive for 3-6 months. This will turn the crisis into a transitional period where you can choose your next career, rather than being forced to make a choice due to financial pressure.
- Develop skills that the market needs: Some employees possess exceptional skills within an organization, but these skills are tied to the system. When they are no longer with that system, their unique qualities diminish. What needs to be developed are skills that the market demands. Especially in the AI era, skills such as using AI tools, data analysis, strategic communication, and solving complex problems will be invaluable because AI cannot yet fully replace them.
- Having a presence in the labor market: Even with a great track record, if you're unknown, finding a new job starting from scratch will be very difficult. Having a solid profile, whether through LinkedIn, tangible achievements, or a network of contacts in your field, will help opportunities come your way more quickly.
- Having two sources of income: Having a second source of income is a great way to create options for yourself, whether it's freelancing, project work, or investments. These will prevent you from having to rely entirely on a single salary.
In an era where AI is becoming a major driving force, preparing for uncertainty may no longer be just an option, but a necessary skill.
References: reuters.com , businessinsider.com , timesofindia.indiatimes.com , people.com , marketwatch.com , businessinsider.com , reuters.com , reuters.com
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