British American Tobacco to Cut or Transfer 9,000 Jobs in AI Overhaul

British American Tobacco (BAT), one of the world’s largest tobacco companies, has faced changing demand for conventional cigarettes, competition from heated-tobacco and vaping products, and pressure on operating costs in recent years. Its adoption of artificial intelligence and restructuring of back-office and support functions reflect a broader shift among multinational companies toward AI-driven process automation. The plan excludes the United States, BAT’s largest market, and focuses on other regions.

BAT said it would eliminate 5,500 jobs and transfer another 3,500 to third-party companies, affecting 9,000 positions in total. The group aims to complete the restructuring by 2027, when it expects to save £500 million annually. The plan does not cover the U.S. market, while further details on the roles affected in each region and the implementation timetable have yet to be disclosed.