Accenture has laid off more than 11,000 employees worldwide in the last three months as part of a $865 million restructuring program. The cuts, confirmed during the company’s latest earnings call, target roles that cannot be reskilled for AI-driven operations. CEO Julie Sweet explained that the company is moving quickly to adjust its workforce, saying some roles cannot be retrained to meet emerging demands. Despite the reductions, the company stressed that it intends to expand hiring again in fiscal year 2026.
Retraining and Investment Plans
Julie Sweet highlighted that reskilling remains central to Accenture’s long-term approach, noting the company’s capacity to retrain workers at scale. She emphasized that every wave of new technology requires retraining, and AI is no different. The restructuring also includes severance costs and divestitures, but Chief Financial Officer Angie Park confirmed it will save the company over $1 billion. These savings are intended for reinvestment in both employees and business operations, ensuring Accenture can sustain growth while adapting to AI.
Accelerating the AI Push
Alongside job cuts, Accenture is expanding its AI capabilities. Since 2023, it has nearly doubled its AI and data specialist workforce to 77,000 and trained more than 550,000 employees in generative AI. Sweet described AI as “expansionary” and key to reinventing services, rather than a deflationary force. The company’s revenue rose 7% year-on-year to $17.6 billion in the June–August quarter, reflecting strong demand. Industry-wide, firms such as Microsoft and Meta have taken similar steps, reducing traditional roles while expanding AI-driven positions.
