AI Talent Retention and Labor Market Shifts

U.S. layoffs at two-year low but AI top cause for 5th month. Google losing top AI researchers. Labor relations up 176%. CHROs need to rebuild talent pipelines. New evidence: Retention driven by growth, respect, and fair pay—not perks. Turnover cost data justifies shifting investment from activity to impact. Key question: are we mistaking activity for impact? A historical perspective on organizational loyalty decline (Quality Magazine) traces root causes to 1980s outsourcing and modern practices, providing context for why retention and trust are fragile.