Artificial intelligence is facing growing scrutiny as analysts warn that the global AI boom may not be producing the results companies and investors expected. Despite hundreds of billions of dollars invested in AI systems, infrastructure and data centres, new research suggests that many companies are still not seeing clear growth in revenue or productivity. This has raised concerns that the current wave of AI investment could turn into a financial bubble if real business results do not improve.
According to Gartner data cited in the reports, around 80 percent of managers in large companies say they have already reduced staff in order to invest in AI and automation. However, the same research shows that those companies have not achieved significantly better financial results than companies that did not cut jobs because of AI. Analyst Helen Poitevin said many firms are still experimenting with AI rather than truly transforming their business models.
Research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is also cited as a warning sign, showing that 95 percent of corporate AI implementation projects have not produced significant revenue growth. The reports state that measurable economic benefits are mostly seen in cases where AI is used to support employees, rather than replace them.
At the same time, job cuts linked to automation and restructuring are becoming more visible. In the United States, more than 1.09 million layoffs were announced in 2025, a 65 percent increase compared with the previous year, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Technology companies, logistics firms, retailers and media companies were among the sectors most affected.
The labour-market impact is already being seen globally. Standard Chartered announced plans to cut around 7,800 jobs by 2030, equal to about 15 percent of its administrative and support positions, as part of automation and AI integration. In the technology sector, more than 135,000 layoffs had been recorded by May 2026, while another platform estimated the number of affected workers at more than 142,000.
Companies often describe these changes as reorganization, restructuring, optimization or reduction of management layers, rather than direct replacement of workers by AI. But the reports note that for employees losing their jobs, the terminology does not change the reality.
Analysts also warn that new AI-related roles will not automatically replace the jobs being lost. While AI is creating demand for model engineers, data analysts, AI product managers, automation experts and security specialists, many administrative workers, operators, document analysts, customer support workers and back-office employees cannot easily move into those positions overnight.
The central concern is no longer only whether AI can change work, but who will be able to benefit from it. The reports warn that smaller markets, including Macedonia, could also feel pressure if global corporations decide to automate larger parts of outsourcing, financial services, marketing, IT and administrative operations. If productivity and revenue growth do not begin to match the scale of investment, analysts warn that the question may not be whether the AI bubble will burst, but when.
