{
  "id": 17237885,
  "title": "Lose your job to AI? Here’s what to do if a company wants you back",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/lose-your-job-to-ai-heres-what-to-do-if-a-company-wants-you-back",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-30T13:45:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fast Company",
    "slug": "fast-company",
    "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91632973/lose-your-job-ai-heres-what-do-company-wants-you-back"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As companies worldwide increasingly turn to artificial intelligence for job cuts, workers are experiencing anxiety about the possibility of losing their livelihoods to machines. Microsoft, Barclays Bank, Kroger, and other major firms have announced AI-related workforce reductions this year, shedding jobs deemed redundant or freeing up funds for AI investment. However, some of these layoffs may be temporary, with companies rehiring laid-off workers to fill eliminated positions. This phenomenon, known as the \"AI boomerang,\" has reportedly happened with considerable frequency, prompting the nickname. Lucy Beaumont, a global senior vice president at SHL, a technology company based in the UK, noted that hiring managers in various fields, including finance, marketing, law, and health, have reported similar experiences. Robert Half, a recruitment and staffing firm, found that companies eliminated positions mainly due to AI or automation, only to rehire for the same or similar roles. This is often because AI technology needs more human oversight than anticipated or struggles to replicate human skills like critical thinking, creativity, and institutional knowledge. Companies such as Klarna, the Swedish provider of buy now, pay later services, have rehired human customer service representatives after relying heavily on AI chatbots. Similarly, Ford hired or promoted 350 veteran engineers after AI tools used for quality control failed to meet expectations. However, companies may not always publicly acknowledge their shifts in resources or responsibilities back to human employees. Lucy Beaumont expressed concern that companies might benefit from appearing to cut costs through AI without admitting their initial lack of readiness or foresight. Employment experts advise workers in light of these developments. Betsy Summers, a principal analyst on the Future of Work team at market research firm Forrester, pointed out that AI often misses the \"invisible work\" that employees do, such as sensing emotions, holding impromptu meetings, and adding extra effort when inspired. Furthermore, many company procedures for tasks like data processing and bookkeeping are not well-documented, making it difficult to fully understand where humans add value in the process. In customer service, for example, AI agents and chatbots frequently need to refer questions and complaints to human representatives who can understand emotions, assess problem severity, and respond creatively within established policies. Experts suggest that employees leverage their unique human qualities when navigating this evolving job landscape. Highlighting skills like emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and empathy can help workers differentiate themselves from AI systems. Focusing on these strengths allows individuals to become uniquely qualified to complement and enhance AI capabilities rather than replace them.",
  "summary": "Companies around the world are increasingly citing artificial intelligence when slashing jobs , fueling anxiety that a lot more workers may lose their livelihoods to machines. Microsoft , Barclays Bank and supermarket chain Kroger are among the latest entries on a growing list of companies that have announced AI -related workforce reductions this year, including the elimination of jobs deemed…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}