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Oct 24, 2025 8:00 AM

Applied Materials Cuts Staff To Stay Ahead In High-Stakes AI Race

Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT), the world’s leading supplier of equipment, software, and services for manufacturing semiconductor chips, flat-panel displays, and solar products, announced on October 23 a plan to reduce its global workforce by approximately 4%.

Strategic Rationale

Following the news, the stock slipped in the premarket session on Friday. The workforce reduction is framed as a strategic move to reposition the company for future growth by enhancing productivity and competitiveness.

In an email to employees, CEO Gary Dickerson attributed the action to evolving business needs, stating that “automation, digitalization, and geographic shifts are redefining the company’s workforce needs.”

Also Read: Applied Materials Partners With GlobalFoundries To Accelerate Photonics

He continued, explaining that this coordinated action will accelerate the company’s existing plans to build higher-velocity teams, adopt new technologies, and ...