STAMFORD, Conn., February 3, 2026
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Gartner Predicts Half of Companies That Cut Customer Service Staff Due to AI Will Rehire by 2027
Service and Support Leaders Should Prioritize Long-Term Growth Over Short-Term Cost Reduction
By 2027, 50% of companies that attributed headcount reduction to AI will rehire staff to perform similar functions, but under different job titles, according to Gartner, Inc, a business and technology insights company.
“While AI-driven layoffs have captured attention, the reality is more complex,” said Kathy Ross, Senior Director Analyst in the Gartner Customer Service & Support practice. “Most recent workforce reductions were influenced by broader economic conditions rather than automation alone. As organizations encounter the limits of AI and rising customer expectations, they will need to reinvest in human talent to sustain service quality and growth.”
Emily Potosky, Senior Director, Research in the Gartner Customer Service & Support practice, added, “AI simply isn’t mature enough to fully replace the expertise, empathy, and judgment that human agents provide. Relying solely on AI right now is premature and could lead to unintended consequences.”
Despite widespread speculation that AI will drastically reduce customer service headcount, a Gartner survey of 321 customer service and support leaders conducted in October 2025 revealed that only 20% of customer service leaders have actually reduced agent staffing due to AI. The majority report that headcount remains steady, even as they support more customers.
Gartner clients can read more in the report: Set a Workforce Reduction Strategy Before Headlines Influence Your C-Suite.
About Gartner for Customer Service & Support Leaders
The customer service and support function is vital to maintaining customer loyalty and influencing brand perceptions. Gartner for Customer Service & Support Leaders provides indispensable insights, advice and tools needed to achieve service and support leaders’ mission-critical priorities, specifically improving the customer experience while managing costs; designing an optimal service channel strategy; measuring and reducing customer effort; and how to hire, develop and retain high-potential frontline talent.
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