The OpenAI CEO says some companies are likely scapegoating the tech for cost-cutting measures. As major employers have slashed jobs over the past year, many have cited artificial intelligence or automation to justify the cuts. AI was referenced in nearly 55,000 layoffs in 2025, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas—and the latest figures suggest that trend is continuing in 2026 alongside a record-high surge in job cuts, which crossed 108,000 in January alone.