U.S. January 2026 Layoffs Reach Highest Since 2009; AI Job Impact Concerns Raised

U.S. employers announced 108,435 layoffs in January 2026, the highest January total since the 2009 recession, driven largely by cuts at Amazon and UPS amid economic uncertainty and rising costs. Layoff plans more than doubled from a year earlier, while hiring intentions fell to their lowest January level in 17 years. Separately, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warned that AI advancements could disrupt many entry-level jobs over the next few years, highlighting potential labor market challenges ahead.