Accenture's layoffs could continue if retraining doesn't keep up
Accenture just let go of over 11,000 employees as part of a sweeping restructuring designed to reshape operations in line with growing AI adoption.
The company says reskilling workers is a top priority, but CEO Julie Sweet shared that more layoffs could happen if retraining doesn't keep up—potentially through November 2025.
These changes have already brought Accenture's global headcount down from 791,000 to 779,000.
Restructuring plan and AI focus
To support this shift, Accenture is rolling out an $865 million restructuring plan—including $615 million in severance last quarter and another $250 million this quarter.
The goal? Save over $1 billion while ramping up their AI game.
Generative AI projects are booming for them too, with bookings jumping to $5.1 billion this year (up from $3 billion last year).
Despite the cuts, Accenture now has 77,000 AI and data specialists—almost double what they had two years ago.