Gartner: 30% of AI-Driven Layoffs Will Result in Rehires by 2029, Often at Higher Cost

NewsData.io · United States · Sep 13, 2026

Gartner predicts that 30% of employees laid off due to AI-driven workforce reductions will need to be rehired by 2029, frequently at a higher cost — with customer service and software engineering staff among the hardest hit. A separate Gartner forecast from February estimated that half of companies that cut customer service headcount due to AI will rehire for similar functions by 2027. Klarna is cited as an early example, resuming customer service hiring more than a year after claiming its AI chatbot could replace 700 reps. For staffing firms, the trend signals potential placement opportunities as AI ROI falls short of expectations and companies scramble to rebuild headcount.