AI-driven layoffs are creating new uncertainty for white-collar workers, but a major safety-net gap may leave affected employees without unemployment coverage. The reporting highlights that nearly 75% of unemployed people did not apply for unemployment benefits in 2022, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data referenced in the article. The barriers described include uncertainty about eligibility, work arrangements not covered by unemployment insurance, early job search expectations, and difficulties applying. Even when people apply, the piece notes a significant rejection rate, with only about 55% receiving benefits. For universities and workforce-development partners, the implication is operational: career services, continuing education, and employer partnerships may need stronger connections to benefits literacy and rapid re-employment pipelines. The coverage also reinforces that AI’s labor impacts will likely be uneven across sectors, increasing demand for short-cycle upskilling aligned with employer needs.