The AI layoff excuse just got exposed. By the company that tracks them.

"Naming AI in a layoff announcement can win over investors while pushing current and prospective employees away."

That's Andy Challenger. His firm tracks every announced job cut in America.

July's numbers just dropped.

10,970 workers were cut with AI cited as the reason. That's 33% of all July layoffs. The fifth consecutive month AI led all reasons.

For the year: 112,713 cuts attributed to AI. 24% of every announced layoff.

But tech layoffs are up 67% while hiring is up 25%. Companies aren't shrinking. They're swapping.

A Bronx hospital laid off12 nurses and blamed "AI software." The nurses' union called it misleading. Challenger classified it as "possibly AI."

The quiet part is now on the record. Companies are using AI as cover for routine cost cuts because it wins shareholder approval.

If your board is using AI layoff headlines to justify headcount decisions, you're building strategy on investor optics, not operational reality.

Audit your workforce plan. The real driver is cost discipline, not machine intelligence.