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   Could AI be a scapegoat in layoffs?   
      
   Date:   
   Thu, 08 Jan 2026 14:15:00 +0000   
      
   Description:   
   A surge in graduates and other conventional cases are putting more strain on   
   jobs than artificial intelligence.   
      
   FULL STORY   
      
   According to new Oxford Economics research , we're yet to see any tangible   
   evidence that artificial intelligence is indeed replacing human workers.    
      
   This is set against a backdrop of alleged AI-induced layoffs, but the report   
   argues that companies may actually be using AI as a narrative cover for   
   headcount measures that fall into other categories, such as routine   
   adjustments and cost-cutting measures.    
      
   Framing job cuts with a tech twist could ultimately be better for   
   organizations than admitting that profits are low, or that there are   
   managerial issues.   
      
   Are widespread layoffs actually caused by AI?    
      
   The authors raise four key arguments against the theory that AI is replacing   
   jobs: correlation and causation aren't always related; we haven't seen a   
   productivity surge; AI-related job losses still aren't as common as other   
   types of job cuts; and the continued rise in graduates.    
      
   Data covered by the report also suggests there's a perception gap, and that    
   AI isn't actually such a common cause. For example, AI was only cited in   
   55,000 job cuts in the US during the first 11 months of 2025, marking just   
   4.5% of all losses. "Market and economic conditions" were cited around four   
   times as often.    
      
   We could also argue that, if AI were replacing human workers, productivity   
   levels for the remaining human workers would be at an all-time high. But   
   again, the data doesn't back this up.    
      
   Youth unemployment could also be attributed to a rise in degree-holders,    
   which is flooding the market with talent rather than the other way around  AI   
   taking over entry-level roles.    
      
   The report details how the rise in unemployed graduates since late 2022   
   correlates with the mass adoption of AI, however similar trends existed    
   before AI hit the shelves.    
      
   All of this comes as worker responsibilities shift  managing AI is proving   
   more taxing and less rewarding for many.    
      
   "We don't yet see any compelling evidence to make substantial upward   
   adjustment to our forecasts for either near-term productivity or unemployment   
   in response to ongoing AI developments," the report concludes.    
      
   ======================================================================   
   Link to news story:   
   https://www.techradar.com/pro/could-ai-be-a-scapegoat-in-layoffs   
      
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