Oct 2026 · How AI Is Reshaping Work

Wells Fargo's October 13 earnings supplement put period-end headcount at 194,000, down from 211,000 a year earlier and 197,000 in the prior quarter. The release credits efficiency initiatives; AI shows up as investment and as a CEO talking point on agents.

On October 12 Bloomberg, Reuters and Grocery Dive reported a memo from Kroger CEO Greg Foran: about 3,000 corporate roles gone over three years, roughly 37% of 8,200 corporate employees. Reuters links the cuts to Kroger's AI expansion.

On October 12 Schaeffler said 3,715 of the 4,700 positions in its 2024 earnings program were gone by September 30, the rest are contractually covered, and completion moves from 2029 to 2028. The release mentions neither AI nor automation.

On October 12 Telia said it will cut about 900 positions, employees and consultants, to reach SEK 1B in annual gross savings, with about SEK 600M in charges due in Q4. Coverage of the release mentions no AI.

Journalists at all nine Ebra regional dailies struck on October 9, with about 67% of staff out according to the SNJ. The trigger is a voluntary plan for up to 400 of roughly 3,200 jobs and a project to automate page layout. Management says AI will assist newsrooms, not replace anyone.

Puck reported that Netflix plans to cut about 5% of its workforce, roughly 800 to 850 jobs, possibly as early as next week. Netflix declined to comment, no departments are named, and none of the reporting links the cuts to AI.

Reuters reported on October 8 that surveillance-camera maker Flock Safety will lose about 270 employees at the end of October, 18% of its roughly 1,500 staff. Flock told TechCrunch it is a voluntary separation program, not a layoff. No report blames AI.

Amazon confirmed on October 7 that it cut roles in its Stores business, fewer than 1,000 according to Business Insider and Reuters. Amazon's statement names no number and no AI, and no Washington layoff notice had been filed when GeekWire reported.

The Financial Times reported on October 7 that HSBC will cut about half the management and specialist roles in UK wealth management and about 70% of its human financial advisers, using AI to cover the work. HSBC did not confirm the numbers.

Porsche's October 7 strategy release plans 9,000 job cuts, about 25% of the direct and indirect workforce, with management positions down 40% and break-even below 200,000 cars a year. The release does not mention AI or automation.

UPS said on October 7 it will hire more than 100,000 seasonal workers, about 9% fewer than last year and 20% fewer than in 2024. The release lists automated sites in four cities but gives no reason for the lower number.

FICO told the SEC on October 6 it will eliminate about 15% of positions for roughly $27.0M in charges, with notices going out the week of October 5. The plan's stated goals include fewer management layers and bringing AI-driven product development into the business.