Job cuts slowed in July as companies stepped up their hiring plans, while artificial intelligence (AI) continues to be cited as a leading reason for workforce reductions, new data shows.Companies announced 33,429 job cuts in July – a decrease of 27% from the 45,849 announced in June, and a level that's down 46% from the 62,075 cuts planned in the same month last year, according to data from Challenger, Gray & Christmas.The total of 33,429 layoffs announced last month is the lowest monthly total in two years since July 2024, when there were 25,885 cuts announced, the firm noted. It's also t...