HP will eliminate 4,000 to 6,000 positions worldwide by the end of 2028 as the computer and printer maker moves to artificial intelligence to handle product development and customer service tasks, the Guardian reported.
The California-based technology company announced the reduction of the workforce along with disappointing earnings projections for its next fiscal year. HP employs approximately 56,000 people globally.
“Looking ahead, we see a significant opportunity to incorporate AI at HP to accelerate product innovation, improve customer satisfaction, and boost productivity,” CEO Enrique Lores said, according to the Guardian.
He stated that the groups that manage product creation, company operations, and customer assistance will face cuts. The changes will generate $1 billion in annual savings by 2028, although implementing the cuts will cost about $650 million.
The company eliminated 1,000 to 2,000 positions in February during an earlier restructuring effort.
This announcement adds to a disturbing pattern of companies replacing human workers with artificial intelligence systems.
A UK educational research organization has warned that automation and AI could eliminate 3 million positions in Britain by 2035, with commercial work, equipment operation, and office roles facing the highest risk.
In the United States, McKinsey Global Institute analysis found that 40% of current jobs in the education, healthcare, business and legal sectors could be automated. The consultancy estimated that artificial intelligence and robotics could manage more than half of all working hours in America using technology that already exists.
Legal and administrative positions face particular vulnerability, with activities such as entering information into databases, processing financial records, and creating written documents moving to AI systems. While people will still supervise and audit this work, far fewer positions will exist.
The drive to build an AI infrastructure also damages the environment. Data centers running AI systems consume massive amounts of electricity and water for cooling, while the rush to produce memory chips for AI computers increases harmful carbon pollution from manufacturing.
If your job involves tasks that AI can automate, consider building skills in areas that require human judgment, creativity or interpersonal connection. Look into training programs that focus on AI supervision, auditing or system design, as these roles will continue to be needed even as automation continues.