Cisco is reportedly laying off around 4,000 employees globally as the company sharpens its focus on artificial intelligence and long-term operational transformation. The move comes at a time when major technology firms across the world are reassessing workforce structures amid rapid AI adoption and changing enterprise priorities.
Speaking about the layoffs, Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins said companies operating in the AI era would need to make “hard decisions” to stay competitive. According to reports, Robbins noted that organisations succeeding in the next phase of technology growth will be those capable of reallocating talent and resources quickly toward AI-driven opportunities.
The job cuts are expected to impact multiple divisions across the company and form part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at simplifying operations and improving efficiency. Cisco has increasingly been positioning itself around AI infrastructure, cybersecurity, networking, and enterprise software as businesses accelerate investments in generative AI technologies.
The development adds Cisco to a growing list of global tech companies making workforce reductions while simultaneously expanding AI investments. Over the past year, firms across software, cloud, and enterprise technology sectors have announced restructuring plans, citing automation, shifting business models, and the need to redeploy resources toward AI-led innovation.
Cisco has been actively integrating AI capabilities across its portfolio, particularly in networking management, security systems, collaboration tools, and enterprise automation. The company has also highlighted AI as a major long-term growth area during recent investor discussions.
