General Motors, a leading automaker, has made the decision to decrease its IT staff by over 10%, which translates to approximately 600 positions, as the company updates its skills and recruitment strategies. A report from TechCrunch indicates that GM is prioritising new hires with expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and relevant technologies.
The organisation emphasises that it is gearing up for the future as AI continues to evolve the workforce. In an email statement, the company conveyed that GM is reforming its Information Technology department to better align with future demands.
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GM Expands AI-Centric Hiring Efforts
The report further underscores that GM is actively recruiting for its IT division, focusing on new positions and skill sets. It points out that the company is likely looking to bring on board specialists in AI-native development, data engineering and analytics, cloud engineering, professionals for developing AI agents and models, as well as prompt engineers. Essentially, GM is seeking individuals who can innovate and develop AI technology rather than merely applying AI tools in everyday tasks.
Since Sterling Anderson took on the role of chief product officer in May 2025, GM’s software division has undergone significant restructuring. Anderson has been directing efforts to consolidate GM’s technology units into a unified organisation. During this transition, several senior software leaders, such as Baris Cetinok, Dave Richardson, and Barak Turovsky, formerly GM’s chief AI officer, have departed from the company. Furthermore, the firm is increasingly hiring talent with an AI focus to enhance its technological capabilities.
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Recently, GM appointed Behrad Toghi as its AI lead, who previously worked on significant projects at Apple. Additionally, Rashed Haq has been named vice president of autonomous vehicles.
Rising Tech Layoffs in 2026
Examining the current layoff patterns, the IT sector is notably affected by AI-driven restructuring. Recently, major IT and tech corporations, including Meta, Amazon, Oracle, Snap, and others, have laid off thousands of employees within the first four months of 2026.
Cognizant is also reported to be initiating a layoff strategy that could impact over 15,000 employees worldwide. This illustrates how firms are rapidly transforming their workforce as AI becomes more prevalent, with a growing emphasis on recruiting individuals who possess advanced skills in AI, automation, and data analytics.