Bengaluru's Tech Workers in Crisis: Layoffs, AI, and the Rising Cost of Survival

Hundreds of tech employees gathered in Bengaluru for a May Day rally organized by the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) and the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), a sign of shifting sentiments in a workforce more accustomed to code reviews than street protests. The turnout itself signaled a shift. Workers expressed concerns about job security, the feeling that their roles can change overnight, and the pressure to constantly reskill without adequate support. The pressure to reskill is blurring the boundaries between work and personal life. The unease among tech workers is increasingly shaping life in Bengaluru's tech corridors. At 11:45 PM, Aswin, a Microsoft engineer, is still working on his laptop, watching tutorials and testing tools to understand how artificial intelligence might reshape his job. The company has communicated that the world has changed and that employees must adapt or risk losing their place. Engineers are expected to integrate AI into their workflows, with the promise of increased productivity. This shift follows a turbulent period in the tech industry, with global giants cutting jobs and increasing investments in AI. In India, Tata Consultancy Services indicated workforce reductions, and Infosys terminated contracts. Hiring has slowed, with top IT firms adding few new employees. Many workers are investing in themselves, often at personal cost, taking courses in AI, cloud computing, and data engineering. Mid-level employees feel