CNBC explores challenges currently facing U.S. tech workers, including mass layoffs, widespread cuts in company budgets, and threats of deportation for H-1B visa holders.
"The layoffs to the start of 2024 signal a dramatic shift in the tech industry," said Jeff Shulman, professor at the University of Washington's Foster School of Business. The number of tech sector layoffs in 2024 has been outpacing the number of terminations in 2023. So far, about 42,324 tech employees were let go in 2024, according to
Layoffs.fyi, which tracks layoffs in the tech industry.
While layoffs have put stress on the workforce, a booming artificial intelligence market is giving the industry a renewed sense of optimism. Generative AI startup deals announced or finalized in the first quarter of this year totaled more than $12 billion compared to about $4.5 billion invested in the space last year, according to PitchBook.
On July 16, 2023, Canada opened visa applications for a pilot program that would allow up to 10,000 H-1B visa holders in the United States to apply for a three-year open-work permit in Canada. H-1B holders are highly educated and specialized foreign workers that work in fields such as tech. After massive layoffs in the tech industry, this was a lifeline for H-1B holders who needed to find a new job or face deportation.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:47 Why Widespread Tech Layoffs Keep Happening Despite A Strong U.S. Economy (Published February 2024)
13:01 Where Thousands Of Tech Workers Went After Mass Layoffs (Published August 2023)
26:46 How The U.S. Lost Thousands Of High-Skilled Workers To Canada (Published November 2023)
Produced by: Anuz Thapa, Shawn Baldwin, Sydney Boyo
Edited by: Michael Hoyt, Nic Henry, Sydney Boyo
Narration by: Jordan Smith
Graphics by: Jason Reginato, Christina Locopo, Alex Wood, Josh Kalven
Supervising Producers: Jeff Morganteen, Jeniece Pettitt, Lindsey Jacobson
Camera by: Andrew Evers
Additional Footage: Getty Images, CSPAN, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Government of Canada
Additional Editing: Emily Rabbideau
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Where Are Laid Off Tech Employees Going? | CNBC Marathon
"The layoffs to the start of 2024 signal a dramatic shift in the tech industry," said Jeff Shulman, professor at the University of Washington's Foster School of Business. The number of tech sector layoffs in 2024 has been outpacing the number of terminations in 2023. So far, about 42,324 tech employees were let go in 2024, according to
Layoffs.fyi, which tracks layoffs in the tech industry.
While layoffs have put stress on the workforce, a booming artificial intelligence market is giving the industry a renewed sense of optimism. Generative AI startup deals announced or finalized in the first quarter of this year totaled more than $12 billion compared to about $4.5 billion invested in the space last year, according to PitchBook.
On July 16, 2023, Canada opened visa applications for a pilot program that would allow up to 10,000 H-1B visa holders in the United States to apply for a three-year open-work permit in Canada. H-1B holders are highly educated and specialized foreign workers that work in fields such as tech. After massive layoffs in the tech industry, this was a lifeline for H-1B holders who needed to find a new job or face deportation.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:47 Why Widespread Tech Layoffs Keep Happening Despite A Strong U.S. Economy (Published February 2024)
13:01 Where Thousands Of Tech Workers Went After Mass Layoffs (Published August 2023)
26:46 How The U.S. Lost Thousands Of High-Skilled Workers To Canada (Published November 2023)
Produced by: Anuz Thapa, Shawn Baldwin, Sydney Boyo
Edited by: Michael Hoyt, Nic Henry, Sydney Boyo
Narration by: Jordan Smith
Graphics by: Jason Reginato, Christina Locopo, Alex Wood, Josh Kalven
Supervising Producers: Jeff Morganteen, Jeniece Pettitt, Lindsey Jacobson
Camera by: Andrew Evers
Additional Footage: Getty Images, CSPAN, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Government of Canada
Additional Editing: Emily Rabbideau
» Subscribe to CNBC: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBC
» Subscribe to CNBC TV: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCtelevision
About CNBC: From 'Wall Street' to 'Main Street' to award winning original documentaries and Reality TV series, CNBC has you covered. Experience special sneak peeks of your favorite shows, exclusive video and more.
Want to master your money this fall? Sign up for CNBC’s new online course. We’ll teach you practical strategies to hack your budget, reduce your debt, and grow your wealth. Start today to feel more confident and successful. Use code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off, now extended through September 30, 2024, for the back-to-school season: https://cnb.cx/3WiasGB
Connect with CNBC News Online
Get the latest news: https://www.cnbc.com/
Follow CNBC on LinkedIn: https://cnb.cx/LinkedInCNBC
Follow CNBC News on Instagram: https://cnb.cx/InstagramCNBC
Follow CNBC News on Facebook: https://cnb.cx/LikeCNBC
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Where Are Laid Off Tech Employees Going? | CNBC Marathon
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Francisco Gimeno - BC Analyst There has been a dramatic shift in the tech industry since the end of 2023, with massive layoffs, company budgets being slashed all around, due to different factors, the main one being the adaptation to a new economical reality where there is less money around, and second the exponential growth of the AI technology already applied in many tech companies, making easy the substitution of tech workers for AI solutions. The numbers don’t lie. S it always happens this started in the US, and the contagium is already spreading around the world. Many US workers including H-1B visa holders are moving to other pastures like Canada where they can (yet) work, as this country needs specialised workers. But, we are afraid, this is a temporary solution when we see how new 4th IR tech is going to substitute many of the up to now almighty tech workers.