The multinational company British American Tobacco announced plans to eliminate approximately 2,300 jobs worldwide as part of a restructuring initiative that will rely more heavily on artificial intelligence and automation. Company leaders said the changes are intended to reduce costs and improve efficiency while accelerating the company's transition toward next-generation products. The announcement has raised concerns about the impact of AI on employment, particularly for administrative and corporate support roles. The layoffs reflect a broader trend of companies using emerging technologies to reshape their workforce.
See "British American Tobacco to slash 9,000 jobs as it turns to AI", Lauren Almeida, The Guardian, June 29, 2026