Oracle shed about 20k roles globally in the last year

bbc.com
June 23, 2026
2 min read
51/100
Summary
Oracle has reduced its workforce by 21,000 employees in the past year as part of a shift towards artificial intelligence. The company reported having approximately 141,000 full-time employees as of May 31, 2026, down from about 162,000 the previous year.
Key Takeaways
- Oracle cut approximately 21,000 jobs, representing about 13% of its workforce, as it shifts its business focus towards artificial intelligence.
- The company incurred $1.8 billion in severance payments and restructuring costs over the past year, significantly higher than the previous year's $374 million.
- Oracle plans to invest at least $50 billion in AI infrastructure this year to support its growing cloud and AI businesses.
- Over 100,000 tech workers have been laid off in the past year as companies like Amazon and Meta also reduce their workforces while investing heavily in AI.
Coverage & discussions
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Community discussions
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Community Sentiment
Positives
- Oracle's focus on AI indicates a strategic pivot towards future technologies, potentially positioning them as leaders in AI-driven solutions.
- Investing in AI usage among employees could enhance productivity and leverage domain expertise, suggesting a shift towards a more integrated approach to technology.
Concerns
- The decision to halt updates on profitable software in favor of AI development raises concerns about the neglect of existing customer needs and products.
- Many believe the layoffs are being unjustly attributed to AI, masking deeper market contraction issues and financial mismanagement within the company.
- Relying on AI tools without domain knowledge could lead to significant operational risks, as replacing experienced employees with inexperienced ones is seen as detrimental.
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