Amid Historic Layoffs Surge, Rep. Foushee Releases Report on AI’s Impact on American Jobs and Demands Clarity from Industry Leaders

Rep Valerie Foushee (D-NC-04), Co-Chair of the House Democrat Commission on AI and Chair of the New Democrat Coalition's Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, released a report and launched an investigation emphasizing the urgent need for transparency and greater clarity regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on American jobs. This announcement comes amid alarming unemployment figures. In the absence of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ October 2025 jobs report and timely November 2025 data, there has been a surge in layoffs across major industries, with AI integration cited as a significant factor. Key findings from Rep. Foushee’s report include:

• 54,694 jobs lost in 2025, specifically cited as AI-related reductions.
• Layoff announcements for 2025 have now surpassed 1.1 million job cuts, the most since the 2020 pandemic surge.
• Technology Sector: 33,281 layoffs in October, nearly six times higher than September’s figures. Overall, 2025 layoffs in the tech sector have increased 17 percent compared to 2024.
• Over half of employers surveyed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers predict that the class of 2026 will graduate into the most challenging job market for new college graduates in half a decade.
• Rising unemployment for Black Americans at 7.5 percent, compared to 5.7 percent in 2024. Overall unemployment rate rises to 4.4%, the highest since October 2021.