Meta says goodbye to those who won’t use AI

Meta is the latest company to trim its workforce as a result of the growing use of AI within the industry. The company laid off 8,000 employees earlier this week, while also moving 7,000 more to AI-focused roles. “AI is the most consequential technology of our lifetimes,” Zuckerberg said in a memo that he sent to employees, informing them of the cuts. “The companies that lead the way will define the next generation,” he added. The company has not revealed too much detail of the changes in the workforce, but it’s clear that jobs focused on AI infrastructure will be protected. Meta is not alone in announcing cuts. In a blog this month, Cisco said it was cutting 4,000 jobs and Microsoft is looking at inciting employees to take voluntary retirement for the first time. The Meta reorganization is following the trend that businesses that don’t adapt to AI usage will struggle. Earlier this year, PwC US CEO Paul Griggs caused consternation when he suggested that executives who failed to get to grips with AI had a limited future in the company. While workforces are increasingly dependent on AI as a path to progress, IT departments are not necessarily on top of the game. A Dataiku survey earlier this year revealed that 74 of CIOs were fearful that their career paths were dependent on AI outcomes.