AI is not the main reason most people are losing their jobs right now; weak demand, economic headwinds, and skill mismatches are doing more of the damage, according to the latest quarterly outlook from ManpowerGroup, one of the largest staffing agencies in the world. While automation and AI are surely reshaping job descriptions and long‑term hiring plans, the first-quarter 2026 employment outlook survey suggests workers without the right mix of technical and human skills are far more exposed than those whose capabilities match what employers say they need.
ManpowerGroup claims its Employment Outlook Survey, launched in 1962, is the most extensive forward-looking survey of its kind, unparalleled in size, scope, and longevity, and one of the most trusted indicators of labor market trends worldwide. Looking ahead to the turn of the year, the survey says employers around the globe still plan to hire, but at a slower pace and with fewer additions to headcount than earlier in the pandemic recovery.
