AI is coming for big tech jobs—but not in the way you think
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This week, WIRED Start looks into how companies are sacrificing thousands of jobs in the race to further innovation in AI.
Microsoft reportedly laid off some 1,000 people in early June, pulling from its mixed reality and Azure cloud departments, and also Damigos’ consumer sales division. An email to employees from Jason Zander, executive vice president of strategic missions and technologies at Microsoft, leaked to Business Insider, blamed a pivot to invest in artificial intelligence:
“Our clear focus as a company is to define the AI wave and empower all our customers to succeed in the adoption of this transformative technology. Along the way, we make decisions that align with our long-term vision and strategy while ensuring the sustainability and growth of Microsoft.”
No one knows yet quite how AI will impact work in the long term, but many experts largely agree that AI will not replace most workers anytime soon. Some predict that it will create more jobs—but some workers are currently training their own AI replacements. But the layoffs happening now show that AI hype, not futuristic AI colleagues, can cause thousands of people to lose their jobs.
Microsoft isn’t alone. Dropbox announced 500 layoffs in April 2023, and CEO Drew Houston acknowledged that AI had played a role. Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg made similar statements about cutting jobs to invest in AI earlier this year, and Google has funneled money into its Anthropic AI developments, and its CEO, Sindar Pichai, warned of continuous cuts throughout 2024, which began in January.
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Science Communications Manager — Because even Hawking needed an editor. >> Freelance writer & content strategist for (int i = physics | semiconductors | artificial intelligence | machine learning ; ; i++)
3wThere’s a fascinating amount of psychology behind many “expert” predictions about AI’s future impact on jobs. While historical effects of technological advances can help us make educated guesses, no one can truly be an expert in unprecedented events. The best we can do on an individual level is to learn how to use these new tools to enhance our work and maintain a diverse skill set to ensure that not every aspect of our careers can become obsolete overnight.
A fraction of people lives are threatened In terms of introducing AI in the company. Especially, Customer service and simple tasks tend to change to AI. The current rate of unemployment is the worst in the technological record, This situation needs to consider where should AI obtain solution. For instance, customer service is that human intervention is required. Because, if all function were automatically, AI would not be response Irregular responses. Even if AI is able to catch the irregular developer supposed to that every time a new request is made, it has to be developed. Therefore, the value of customer service would be much valued. However, the case of simple task is absolutely review required. At the present, way to work is tendency of improving for job. Because human is basically have to obtain logical thinking time to develop new solution. In conclusion, As a grobal reader and communities work towards solution of AI., public awareness and engagement are crucial. All developing automatically, transitioning human resouce to tecnology which is AI, are key step in addressing this grobal challenge, However what is the most important that is not mistake is depends on job, human emotion or human resouce are need
Head of Research & Development at Other World Computing (All opinions expressed are my own and DO NOT reflect in any way upon OWC)
3wAnyone notice the "insightful" reaction taking the place of "sad" or "angry" from other platforms?
Head of Content | Social Media | Digital Marketing Strategy
4wAI is certainly changing how we work, and it's clear that many difficult decisions are being made across the workforce. I appreciate WIRED covering the shift the tech has triggered across the job market. Having spent a few years in marketing for a large AI data provider, I've been lucky enough to learn prompt engineering and have experienced how these tools create efficiencies in my field. That being said, there's a need for clear communication and transparency during this transition, and companies have the opportunity to offer training and opportunities for employees to evolve in tandem. Retaining knowledgeable employees can be a great asset during this transformation.
Genesys Engineer | Contact Center Specialist | Practical Project Manager.
4wThis will be something to watch. I believe in some segments FTE’s will be eliminated with an eye towards providing the same with less. Using the technology to create more value with the same dollars will not be part of the equation. We consumers will pay the price in time and frustration. IMHO. Let’s watch and see