Silicon Valley layoffs push workers to focus on resilience in 2026

In short: Tech layoffs are still rising in early 2026, and many Silicon Valley workers are focusing on resilience as they face a tougher job market.

What's going on

Some stories circulating online suggest anxious tech workers are trying to develop a special human quality that ChatGPT cannot offer. Based on current reporting, there is no clear evidence for that specific claim. The more consistent theme is job insecurity and workers trying to cope.

Layoffs continued into 2026. U.S. employers announced more than 33,000 job cuts from January to February, up 51% from the year before. Reports link the cuts to companies reorganizing after the pandemic, using AI to do some tasks faster, and cutting costs so they can spend more on AI.

Several big companies have reduced staff. Block reportedly cut more than 4,000 jobs. At Salesforce, AI is said to handle 30% to 50% of some work, which supports a “more with less” approach. Other firms mentioned in reports include eBay, Meta, and Google, and some cuts have happened even as profits grow.

Workers describe both emotional and financial strain. Some talk about rethinking their identity, trying side projects, reskilling (learning new job skills), or moving into areas like health tech or climate tech. In personal accounts, “resilience” keeps coming up, meaning the ability to keep going during uncertainty (like staying steady on a long, bumpy road).

What to watch

If layoffs stay steady and AI keeps taking over routine tasks, the job market could remain crowded. Watch for whether companies start hiring again in larger numbers, and whether training programs actually lead to new jobs for displaced workers.

Source: NYTimes