IBM Layoffs 2025: 9,000 Jobs Cut in the US – Is India Gearing Up for More Hiring?

Global tech giant IBM is back in the news with another round of layoffs in 2025. Here’s a crisp breakdown of what’s happening and what it could mean for India:

🔴 What’s Happening?

• IBM is set to slash around 9,000 jobs in the US this year.
• Most of these layoffs will impact cloud and infrastructure roles.
• This is part of IBM’s ongoing workforce restructuring strategy.

🔴 Why is IBM Doing This?

• The move aims to optimize operations and reduce costs.
• IBM plans to shift many of these roles to low-cost markets like India.
• The company is betting big on India’s talent pool for technical and consulting roles.

🔴 India – The Rising Tech Hub for IBM

• IBM has been gradually expanding operations in India for years.
• Major cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai are already key IBM hubs.
• Sources suggest more hiring in India could follow as the company scales back in the US.

🔴 What About AI and Automation?

• AI is playing a significant role in IBM’s transformation:
  • In 2023, CEO Arvind Krishna said 30% of back-office jobs could be replaced by AI within 5 years.
  • Around 7,800 positions are expected to be impacted by AI-driven automation.
• The 2025 layoffs also reflect this growing shift towards automation and AI-based operations.

🔴 Financials Behind the Move

• IBM set aside $400 million for workforce balancing in early 2024.
• Though the company hasn’t disclosed exact numbers, this budget covers a small fraction of IBM’s global workforce.