**AI Employment Disruption Intensifies in 2025**
In 2025, major companies, including Amazon and Verizon, have laid off over 27,000 employees, with Amazon cutting 14,000 roles in its largest corporate layoff. This trend is echoed across more than 4,200 companies implementing layoffs or hiring freezes as AI increasingly automates tasks traditionally performed by humans. The International Labour Organization warns that jobs connected to clerical and cognitive tasks are particularly vulnerable due to this technological shift. Findings from the St. Louis Fed indicate a rise in unemployment in sectors heavily exposed to AI, such as computer and mathematical occupations.
The global transition towards artificial intelligence is not merely a trend but indicative of a significant structural shift in the workforce. Policymakers and economies are underprepared for the implications of AI integration in various industry sectors. Concurrently, the introduction of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) is gaining traction, with over 130 countries exploring this innovative financial architecture, paving the way for a digital economy that may redefine traditional employment dynamics and income support systems.
