Research Suggests that CEOs are using “AI” as a Convenient Excuse for Old-Fashioned Cost-Cutting

Hosted by

Steve Boese

Co-Founder and Chief Data Officer of H3 HR Advisors and Program Chair, HR Technology Conference

About this episode

Welcome to the Workplace Minute, brought to you by H3 HR Advisors. Your quick-hit version of the HR Happy Hour Podcast, where Steve Boese shares the latest in Human Resources, HR tech, workplace trends, and more—all in just a few minutes. Tune in and stay on top of what’s shaping the workplace today!

Host: Steve Boese

 

In this episode Steve shares results from new research that suggests that AI and automation are not actually driving significant layoffs, and that some CEOs are using AI as a convenient excuse to carry out headcount reductions and cost-cutting that are being driven by other factors. Factors that perhaps place more pressure and blame on the CEOs themselves.

 

 

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The HR Happy Hour Network is proudly sponsored by Workhuman. The workplace is changing fast—and the leaders who understand what’s coming will have the advantage. 
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Published

January 14, 2026

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