IBM Replaces 8,000 HR Workers with AI — A Glimpse into the Future of Work
- Roland
- Jul 29
- 2 min read
In what may be one of the most significant workplace experiments in modern tech history, IBM has laid off approximately 8,000 employees from its Human Resources departments around the world — replacing them with artificial intelligence.
But this isn't just about cutting costs or downsizing. This move reflects a deliberate, large-scale transformation of how work gets done in a world increasingly dominated by intelligent systems.
What Happened?
According to multiple reports, IBM’s internal AI tools — notably AskHR and AskIT — have revolutionized internal operations:
AskHR automated 94% of routine HR tasks, including vacation requests, payroll queries, and benefit information.
AskIT reduced calls and chats to the IT department by 70%.
These implementations led to a $3.5 billion productivity boost over the past two years by deploying AI in more than 70 business areas, said IBM CTO Ji-eun Lee.
While thousands of HR roles were eliminated, new jobs were created according to Krishna specified that those "other areas" included software engineering, marketing, and sales or roles focused on "critical thinking," where employees "face up or against other humans, as opposed to just doing rote process work.", reflecting a shift in skill demands rather than a net loss of opportunity.
Why This Matters
This isn't a simple case of automation replacing people. It’s a proof-of-concept that shows what’s possible when AI is deeply integrated into business workflows. IBM didn’t initiate this to downsize but to increase agility and performance. CEO Arvind Krishna emphasized that this is not just about replacing workers — it's about evolving the business model.
A Personal Take
To me, this is one of the largest AI work experiments in action — and it worked.
IBM showed that with the right tools, companies can enhance output, streamline operations, and still create new roles in parallel. But there's a lesson here for all of us:
The knowledge you have today can be replaced by AI tomorrow.
That doesn’t mean fear — it means adaptability is the new job security. As the landscape shifts, so must we. You need to learn fast, pivot fast, and embrace the tools that can empower your future rather than resist them.
This is not just IBM’s story — it’s a roadmap for the future of work.
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