Back to News
research

One of Kalshi's fastest-growing markets is about tech layoffs, cofounders say

Bryan Metzger
Loading...
3 min read
0 likes
⚡ Quantum Brief
Kalshi’s fastest-growing prediction market tracks 2026 tech layoffs, surpassing $30 million in trading volume—outpacing even Oscar bets—with traders forecasting an 83% chance layoffs will exceed 2025’s 447,000 total. CEO Tarek Mansour emphasizes the market’s societal value, urging workers and students to adjust career plans amid AI-driven job disruptions, calling it a critical tool for economic preparedness. Weekly trading volume grows 20%, per COO Luana Lopes Lara, as major firms like Meta, Amazon, and Oracle cut jobs while shifting to AI and contract labor over full-time roles. AI adoption accelerates layoffs by automating coding and engineering tasks, prompting companies to restructure workforces and prioritize AI investments over traditional hiring. The market reflects broader anxiety about tech’s future, offering real-time insights into industry trends as AI reshapes employment—signaling potential long-term shifts in education and workforce strategies.
AI Audio Summary
0:00 / 0:00
Click to play
One of Kalshi's fastest-growing markets is about tech layoffs, cofounders say

"I think it's an important market, because people should know and position accordingly," Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour said. Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images 2026-04-09T09:30:01.251Z Share Copy link Email Facebook WhatsApp X LinkedIn Bluesky Threads lighning bolt icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.

Impact Link Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in. One of Kalshi's fastest-growing prediction markets is about tech layoffs. It's already reached more than $30 million in trading volume. "People should know and position accordingly," Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour said on "The Axios Show." AI-generated summary Summaries are generated by an AI model trained on Business Insider's articles. AI may make mistakes or provide inaccurate/incomplete information. We're unable to load that answer right now. Please try again. Why are tech layoffs increasing? How does AI impact tech jobs? Why focus on tech layoffs? What is a prediction market? Who is Tarek Mansour? One of Kalshi's fastest-growing markets has little to do with sports, elections, or any of the other hot topics that people might associate with the prediction market platform. Loading audio narration... It's about tech layoffs, according to the company's cofounders."I think it's an important market, because people should know and position accordingly," CEO Tarek Mansour said on an episode of "The Axios Show" released on Thursday morning. "It's an interesting question about how people should like, think about their jobs and what should they do when going to school, and studying in college." The market, which asks whether there will be more tech layoffs in 2026 than in 2025, has already reached more than $30 million in trading volume.For comparison, that's larger than the $25 million that Kalshi traders wagered on who would win "Best Actor" at the Oscars in March. And the market says there's a more than 83% chance that the number of layoffs in the information sector in 2026 will exceed 447,000, the total for 2025.Kalshi COO Luana Lopes Lara said the market volume has been "growing 20% week-over-week." "I think it's just so interesting to see," she added.Several large tech companies have already seen major waves of layoffs in 2026, including Meta, Amazon, and Oracle. Much of that has been driven by the continued spread of artificial intelligence into the workplace, with AI replacing things like coding and software engineering.In some cases, companies are rehiring previously full-time employees as contract workers amid broader shifts in investment toward AI.

Read Original

Tags

government-funding

Source Information

Source: Business Insider

Discussion

0 professional contributions

Sign in to join this professional discussion.

Be the first to add a constructive contribution.