Not even four months after American technology company Nvidia rode the AI surge to become the world's first $4 trillion company, it has become the first ever to cross the $5 trillion threshold.
This tracker includes layoffs conducted by U.S.-based companies or those with a strong U.S. presence and is updated at least bi-weekly. We’ve included both startups and publicly traded, tech-heavy companies. We’ve also included companies based elsewhere that have a sizable team in the United States, such as Klarna, even when it’s unclear how much of the U.S. workforce has been affected by layoffs.
Layoff and workforce figures are best estimates based on reporting. We source the layoffs from media reports, our own reporting, social media posts and layoffs.fyi, a crowdsourced database of tech layoffs.
We recently updated our layoffs tracker to reflect the most recent round of layoffs each company has conducted. This allows us to quickly and more accurately track layoff trends, which is why you might notice some changes in our most recent numbers.
If an employee headcount cannot be confirmed to our standards, we note it as “unclear.”
Seattle is looking to celebrate and accelerate its leadership in artificial intelligence at the very moment the first wave of the AI economy is crashing down on the region’s tech workforce.
That contrast was hard to miss Monday evening at the opening reception for Seattle AI Week 2025 at Pier 70. On stage, panels offered a healthy dose of optimism about building the AI future. In the crowd, buzz about Amazon’s impending layoffs brought the reality of the moment back to earth.
A region that rose with Microsoft and then Amazon is now dealing with the consequences of Big Tech’s AI-era restructuring. Companies that hired by the thousands are now thinning their ranks in the name of efficiency and focus — a dose of corporate realism for the local tech economy.
The double-edged nature of this shift is not lost on Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson.
“AI, and the future of AI, and what that means for our state and the world — each day I do this job, the more that moves up in my mind in terms of the challenges and the opportunities we have,” Ferguson told the AI Week crowd. He touted Washington’s concentration of AI jobs, saying his goal is to maximize the benefits of AI while minimizing its downsides.
Seattle AI Week, led by the Washington Technology Industry Association, was started last year after a Forbes list of the nation’s top 50 AI startups included none from Seattle, said the WTIA’s Nick Ellingson, opening this year’s event. That didn’t seem right. Was it a messaging problem?
“A bunch of us got together and said, let’s talk about all the cool things happening around AI in Seattle, and let’s expand the tent beyond just tech things that are happening,” Ellingson explained.
So maybe that’s the best measuring stick: how many startups will this latest shakeout spark, and how can the Seattle region’s startup and tech leaders make it happen? Can the region become less dependent on the whims of the Microsoft and Amazon C-suites in the process?
“Washington has so much opportunity. It’s one of the few capitals of AI in the world,” said WTIA’s Arry Yu in her opening remarks. “People talk about China, people talk about Silicon Valley — there are a few contenders, but really, it’s here in Seattle. … The future is built on data, on powerful technology, but also on community. That’s what makes this place different.”
And yet, “AI is a sleepy scene in Seattle, where people work at their companies, but there’s very little activity and cross-pollinating outside of this,” said Nathan Lambert, senior research scientist with the Allen Institute for AI, during the opening panel discussion.
No, we don’t want to become San Francisco or Silicon Valley, Lambert added. But that doesn’t mean the region can’t cherry-pick some of the ingredients that put Bay Area tech on top.
Whether laid-off tech workers will start their own companies is a common question after layoffs like this. In the Seattle region at least, that outcome has been more fantasy than reality.
This is where AI could change things, if not with the fabled one-person unicorn then with a bigger wave of new companies born of this employment downturn. Who knows, maybe one will even land on that elusive Forbes AI 50 list. (Hey, a region can dream!)
But as the new AI reality unfolds in the regional workforce, maybe the best question to ask is whether Seattle’s next big thing can come from its own backyard again.
Related: Ferguson’s AI balancing act: Washington governor wants to harness innovation while minimizing harms
Every year Ireland’s national tourism body, Fáilte Ireland, conducts a survey to get a sense of the problems tourism businesses in Ireland are facing. Most businesses attempted to recuperate economic pressures mainly during summer of 2025. Most of those businesses reported stagnated or declining revenues compared to 2024. This highlights the difficulties in recovering fully during a continuous economic climate.
After gathering information, or lack thereof, from respondents of the survey, Fáilte Ireland reported 43% fell revenues. Another 20% had flat revenues. Only able 37% reported growing business. Lingering sentiments of uncertainty from business owners after subdued economic conditions should have lead to far worse performance in the survey, leading Fáilte Ireland to be pleasantly surprised.
Sectoral Differences: Hotels, Restaurants, and B&Bs Struggle
The performance of different sectors within Ireland’s tourism industry varied widely, according to the survey results. While some businesses saw growth, others faced serious challenges. Notably, 54% of hotels and 46% of tourism attractions reported an increase in turnover during the summer. For hotels, however, the increase was tempered by a reduction in the number of longer stays, although the dip was somewhat offset by a rise in short breaks, which proved to be a more popular option for travelers this summer.
Conversely, the survey revealed that restaurants and bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) had a much harder time, with 64% of restaurants and 52% of B&Bs stating that this summer had been particularly difficult for their businesses. The challenging conditions were attributed to a range of factors, including rising operational costs, particularly energy and payroll expenses, which continue to strain the profitability of these businesses.
Regional Disparities: Wild Atlantic Way vs. Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands
The survey also highlighted significant regional disparities in tourism performance across Ireland. Some areas, such as the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East, were able to maintain their revenue levels from the summer of 2024, indicating that these regions managed to attract a steady stream of tourists. The appeal of these areas, known for their breathtaking landscapes, cultural heritage, and outdoor activities, remains strong, contributing to their resilience despite the overall industry downturn.
On the other hand, businesses located in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, particularly in the midlands region, as well as those in Dublin, reported more concerning figures. Fifty percent of operators in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and 48% of those in Dublin claimed that their revenue had decreased compared to the summer of 2024. This indicates that urban and midland-based businesses are facing more difficulty in attracting tourists, possibly due to factors such as high accommodation costs, less appeal for certain traveler demographics, or competition from more well-known tourist regions.
Decline in North American and European Visitors
One of the most significant findings in the survey was the reported decline in the number of visitors from key international markets, particularly North America and Europe. Forty-four percent of businesses reported a decrease in revenue from North American tourists this summer, with similar declines observed from European markets. The decrease in revenue from these international visitors was a key concern, as the tourism industry in Ireland has long relied on travelers from the United States and key European countries like Germany and the UK.
Specifically, 44% of businesses noted a decline in visitors from Germany, while 48% of respondents reported a drop in visitors from Britain. These declines suggest that external factors, such as economic uncertainty, changes in travel behavior, or even geopolitical issues, could be affecting Ireland’s ability to attract international tourists. The drop in European visitors, in particular, may also reflect a shift in preferences, with some European tourists opting for destinations closer to home due to cost concerns or changing travel patterns.
Rising Operational Costs Remain a Major Concern
Rising operational costs continue to be a major concern for tourism operators across Ireland. Over 1,000 survey respondents cited energy costs as a primary challenge, reflecting the broader economic pressures that businesses are facing in the wake of global energy price fluctuations. Additionally, payroll costs were highlighted as a significant factor affecting business performance, with 81% of hotels and food and drink operators listing them as a key concern.
Non-accommodation operators, such as tour operators and attractions, also noted that the high cost of accommodation is a growing issue, especially when it comes to attracting international visitors. Many businesses expressed frustration over the perception that a holiday in Ireland offers poor value for money, a sentiment that is becoming more common among tourists as costs continue to rise across the sector.
Positive Reviews Amidst Challenges: A Glimmer of Hope
Despite the challenges reported, the survey did show some positive aspects of the tourism sector’s performance. Fifty-five percent of tourism businesses reported receiving positive reviews and recommendations from visitors, indicating that there is still strong satisfaction with the quality of experiences provided in Ireland. This positive feedback is essential for long-term growth, as repeat customers and word-of-mouth recommendations remain crucial for the industry’s recovery and resilience.
Uncertain Outlook for the Rest of 2025
Looking ahead to the final quarter of 2025, the outlook for the tourism industry remains subdued. According to the survey, 44% of businesses expect their revenue to decline in the last quarter compared to the same period in 2024. Only 21% of businesses expect an increase in income, with most operators bracing for a challenging close to the year. This reflects broader concerns within the industry about economic uncertainty, rising costs, and changing travel trends that are impacting tourism worldwide.
The Impact of International Tariffs and Uncertainty
The ongoing uncertainty surrounding international trade tariffs, particularly with the United States, has also had an effect on the tourism sector. About 25% of businesses claimed that the uncertainty caused by tariffs had a negative impact on their investment plans, with many operators delaying or scaling back projects. This uncertainty is particularly evident among businesses that rely heavily on American visitors, as changes in trade policy and the broader global economy could further impact international tourism to Ireland.
A Challenging Year for Irish Tourism
According to the most recent data from Fáilte Ireland, the “Tourism Barometer” survey yields a mixed picture for the sector. Although some areas and industries exceeded expectations, most operators are struggling with sustained poor profitability, coupled with rising and hard to predict international trade. The anticipated conditions for the coming months are expected to remain unsustainable. This is a reason to expect poor profitability for hospitality and tourism. Some positivity from visitors and the considerable effort resilience and business adaptation under the current conditions provide some reason for expected unsustainable profitability levels to remain for the sector in the recovery phase.
The post Tourism Industry of Ireland Sees Decline in Revenue, Particularly in Dublin and the Midlands, Here’s What You Need to Know appeared first on Travel And Tour World.Hundreds of global leaders gathered in the Pacific Northwest this week for the inaugural One Ocean Week Seattle, a maritime conference with dozens of events that brought together company executives, government officials and advocates charting paths toward cleaner shipping, sustainable fishing and ocean conservation.
The conference, organized by Washington Maritime Blue, was anchored by Wednesday’s One Ocean Summit, where leaders from global companies with Seattle ties discussed their climate progress and the challenges of deploying sustainable technologies.
Seattle-based SSA Marine, a global marine terminal operator, has 200 locations worldwide, moving cargo from ships to terminals and onto trains and trucks. The company has carbon emissions targets and is working to shift from gas and diesel to electrical power for the machines moving moving the cargo, but the move requires juggling sometimes competing factors.
“If you have a piece of electrical equipment, you have to think about charging time that’s required in between shifts, and when can you actually fit it in there?” said Meghan Weinman, SSA Marine’s vice president of sustainability. “One of those big pieces of innovation that we really have to think about is the overlay of technology, labor planning, and can it do the job that we need it to do.”
Corvus Energy is a Norwegian clean shipping company with Seattle offices and a manufacturing facility in Bellingham, Wash. The business is helping vessels go electric with its maritime battery technologies, serving ferries, cruise ships, tugs, cranes and fishing boats.
It’s an evolving sector and the company spends up to 15% of its annual revenue on research and development to fine-tune its technology to meet demanding oceanic conditions.
“It is totally different to operate a battery in an EV versus a maritime setting,” said Corvus CEO Fredrik Witte. “For an EV, you’re traveling three, four hours a day, maybe. But in a maritime setting, you’re potentially operating 24/7.”
Seattle’s Trident Seafoods operates fishing boats and onshore production facilities, including the largest seafood processing plant in North America in Akutan, Alaska. While seafood typically has a much lower carbon footprint than beef, pork or dairy, the company wants to reduce the climate impacts associated with its operations.
But Paul Doremus, Trident Seafoods’ vice president of policy and sustainability, pointed to a hard reality: the company competes directly with Russian and Chinese seafood companies that are doing business under less stringent environmental regulations.
He said the seafood sector — “which has been kind of famously fragmented, small, fairly scrappy” — needs to come together to collectively make improvements.
Doremus applauded events like One Ocean Week Seattle for gathering maritime interests to draw attention and capital toward “sustainable use of the ocean for the benefit of local communities, regional and national.”
“I think that’s the next wave,” he said.
The call for collaboration echoed throughout the One Ocean Summit, which also featured former NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco, United Nations officials, and Norway’s ambassador to the U.S.
Washington Lt. Gov. Denny Heck gave a welcome address, highlighting the state’s maritime economy while calling out threats from plastic pollution, undersea noise, and environmental degradation.
“To face these challenges, we will need to develop new technologies and strengthen our institutions,” Heck said. “It will require sustainable fuel storage, habitat restoration, quiet propulsion and so many other inventions and innovations. But more importantly, it will require the dedication and teamwork of thousands of people.”
The message was reinforced by Haakon Vatle, leader of the One Ocean Expedition, which is sailing a 111-year-old Norwegian tall ship across the globe. The ship, named the Statsraad Lehmkuhl, was moored just outside Bell Harbor International Conference Center during the event.
“The role of our ship is to create attention and share knowledge of the crucial role of the ocean for a sustainable future,” Vatle said. “We’re going to use a ship to reduce the gap between science and the public — get the people we need for the ocean we want. We cannot save the ocean alone.”
Editor’s note: GeekWire reporter Lisa Stiffler was the volunteer emcee of the One Ocean Summit.
Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 28DIGITAL, an organisation specialising in supporting digital knowledge and innovation across Europe. The agreement is aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and unlocking new opportunities for partnerships between entrepreneurs in Dubai and European countries.
The MoU was signed on the sidelines of Expand North Star 2025, organised by Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, which concludes today at Dubai Harbour. The signing ceremony was attended by Saeed AlGergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, and Federico Menna, Chief Executive Officer of 28DIGITAL.
Saeed AlGergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, said: “Our cooperation with 28DIGITAL represents an important step in our efforts to reinforce Dubai’s position as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. By enhancing collaboration between the technology ecosystems of Dubai and Europe, we seek to develop new and impactful pathways for innovation, investment, and growth across all digital sectors.”
Under the terms of the MoU, the two parties will work together to create new opportunities for tech ventures. Key areas of cooperation include market discovery, facilitating business and investment opportunities, and providing comprehensive support for companies seeking to establish a presence in either Dubai or Europe. Both organisations will also promote active participation in their respective innovation ecosystems, organise business missions, provide investor referrals, and facilitate access to local incubators, accelerators, and finance services.
Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy remains committed to driving the success of Dubai’s digital ecosystem and accelerating the emirate’s transformation into one of the world’s leading digital economies, in line with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). As one of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy’s flagship initiatives, Expand North Star represents a key pillar of the chamber’s strategy to achieve Dubai’s ambition of becoming a global hub for innovation and technology.
The post Dubai Chamber and 28DIGITAL to support digital partnerships between Dubai and Europe appeared first on My Startup World - Everything About the World of Startups!.
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