Are Companies Really Doing Layoffs "For AI"?

Are Companies Really Doing Layoffs "For AI"?

Amazon did it. Atlassian did it. Meta is reportedly doing it. Jack Dorsey set the tone by cutting half of Block. Your competitor may be thinking about it. Here's what's actually happening and why.

You've read the press release by now. "As we continue our AI transformation, we are making the difficult decision to reduce our workforce by X%." The specifics vary. The framing doesn't. Companies are laying off large chunks of their workforce and crediting, or blaming, AI.

This is not a coincidence. It's a playbook. And like many corporate playbooks, the press release explanation is only part of the story.

The Press Release Version