us tech workers

Google DeepMind UK employees are forming the world's first union at a frontier AI lab to protest the company's AI deal with the US government. Workers aim to halt the use of Google's AI tools by the US Department of War and the Israeli military, seeking to reinstate ethical commitments and gain a voice in company decisions.

AI pioneer Yann LeCun urges students to disregard alarmist CEO pronouncements and fears of AI-driven job losses and extinction. He emphasizes that higher education, particularly in fields like physics and electrical engineering, will become more valuable as AI tools require human oversight and strategic direction, leading to job evolution rather than elimination.

As Indian-Americans excel and India’s economy expands, perceptions are being rewritten. Not everyone in the US is comfortable with that new reality.

Google's DeepMind employees are demanding union recognition amid concerns over their AI technology's use by the US and Israeli militaries. Workers seek a commitment against developing AI weapons and surveillance tools, urging management to voluntarily recognize their unions or face legal action. The move highlights growing anxieties about AI's ethical implications and its potential for harm.

A proposed US bill could significantly disrupt job and residency prospects for thousands of Indian professionals. The 'End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026' seeks a three-year pause on new H-1B visas and a drastic reduction in the annual cap, alongside a steep $200,000 salary threshold.

Tech layoffs in 2026 have already surpassed 92,000 jobs across 98 companies, making it the worst year for tech employment since the post-pandemic bust. Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, Snap, Oracle, and Block are among the biggest names cutting staff, with AI infrastructure spending cited as the primary driver. But beneath the efficiency narrative lies a more complicated story—one of overhiring, debt, and a workforce reckoning that's far from over.

Hundreds of Google employees are protesting a potential Pentagon contract, urging CEO Sundar Pichai to block the use of the company's AI for secret military projects. Workers fear their technology could be used for lethal autonomous weapons and mass surveillance, demanding Google reject all classified workloads to ensure AI benefits humanity.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang dismisses AI job loss predictions as 'ridiculous,' urging tech leaders to abandon their 'God complex.' He argues AI is a job creator, citing increased demand for software engineers and the Jevons paradox, where efficiency drives greater consumption and thus more jobs. Huang warns that discouraging technical careers could harm the US economy.

More than 600 Google employees demanded Monday that the company reject a proposed Pentagon deal that would allow its artificial intelligence technology to be deployed in classified military operations, a statement said. Google already holds a contract with the US Department of Defense on non-classified workloads through a program known as genAI.mil, and the proposed new deal would extend Gemini's capabilities into classified domains.

Senator Bernie Sanders echoes Verizon CEO Dan Schulman's dire prediction of 20-30% unemployment due to AI and robotics within years. Sanders emphasizes AI's transformative power, warning of unpreparedness. This comes amid divided corporate views, with some experts foreseeing job destruction while others anticipate creation. Prominent AI scientists also caution about AI surpassing human control.

US legal immigration, particularly for students and skilled workers, has seen a steeper decline than illegal entries under the Trump administration. International students face increased visa hurdles and uncertainty, while H-1B visa issuances are pressured by higher fees and stricter rules. This trend risks impacting US innovation and competitiveness.

Microsoft is offering voluntary retirement to approximately 7% of its US workforce, marking its first such program in 51 years. This softer approach, unlike previous layoffs, aims to manage costs and reputation amid stock price pressure and AI infrastructure spending. The offer, based on an age and tenure formula, provides a choice for eligible employees.