<ul><li>In 2023, IBM laid off nearly 8,000 employees, primarily from its HR division, using its AI-powered AskHR platform to automate HR functions.</li><li>Despite the automation efforts, operational gaps arose as six percent of tasks requiring human judgment and empathy could not be handled effectively by the AI.</li><li>As a result of these gaps affecting productivity and service quality, IBM quietly began rehiring in 2024 and redirected automation savings to areas where human skills are essential.</li><li>The experience highlights the importance of balancing technology with human insight, as automation can enhance productivity but may not fully replace the human element in complex or nuanced scenarios.</li></ul>

IBM rehires after AI-driven layoffs backfire; sparks debate on automation limits

Discover more