Oracle has eliminated approximately 21,000 positions globally over the past year, marking a significant contraction in its workforce as the company pivots toward artificial intelligence.
The reduction represents a 13% decline in total headcount for fiscal 2026, according to internal figures cited by Cityam.
The cloud computing giant attributed the significant restructuring to the acceleration of AI-driven automation, which is reshaping its operational model and reducing the need for traditional support roles.
The announcement coincides with a broader sell-off in technology stocks across Asian markets, where investor sentiment has cooled amid concerns over valuation multiples and the pace of AI adoption.
Oracle shares faced downward pressure as traders weighed the immediate cost savings against the long-term implications of such a drastic workforce reduction.
The move underscores the growing tension between tech giants' aggressive AI investments and their legacy employment structures.