Silicon Valley’s layoff wave has reached LinkedIn, the professional networking platform known for connecting job seekers with employers—now ironically making job cuts of its own. In a recent filing with California’s Employment Development Department, LinkedIn confirmed it has laid off 281 employees across the state.
The move follows Microsoft’s earlier announcement this month to slash 6,000 jobs globally, or about 3% of its total workforce. As a Microsoft-owned company, LinkedIn has not been spared from the broader downsizing strategy.
Engineers Hit Hard, Silence From the Top
The cuts, communicated to affected employees on May 13, have primarily impacted software engineers, though other roles such as senior product managers and talent account directors were also eliminated. Many affected employees took to LinkedIn itself to update their status as “open to work,” turning the platform into a digital reflection of its own upheaval.
Unlike previous layoffs in 2023, when CEO Ryan Roslansky issued a personal memo addressing the departure of 716 staffers, this round has seen no official statement from LinkedIn leadership. The silence has only fueled speculation about whether more layoffs are on the horizon.
AI’s Double-Edged Sword
The broader trend points to a major shift in the tech industry, driven by artificial intelligence. With AI tools increasingly capable of writing code, debugging, and even suggesting product strategies, many companies are questioning how many human engineers are still necessary.
LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman recently cautioned against romanticizing AI, saying, “I don’t think any AI tool today is capable of being a friend. And I think if it’s pretending to be a friend, you’re actually harming the person in so doing.” His remarks underscore the ethical and emotional complexities of AI adoption, especially as it displaces skilled professionals.
A Broader Industry Trend
LinkedIn joins a growing list of tech firms—including Google, Meta, and Autodesk—scaling down their workforces in 2025. While some cite restructuring, others point to shifting priorities and underperformance. But a common thread across most announcements is the acceleration of AI deployment and the drive to “streamline operations.”
With over 18,400 employees globally, LinkedIn’s current job cuts could signal a deeper transformation within Microsoft’s ecosystem.