IBM Slashes 8,000 Jobs, Boosts AI Workforce in Strategic Shift
Summary
IBM laid off 8,000 employees, mainly from HR, as its AI platform AskHR automated 94% of routine tasks, but the company's total workforce grew as it reinvested in areas requiring human skills like engineering and sales, signaling a strategic pivot toward AI integration and workforce realignment.
Key Points
- IBM laid off around 8,000 employees, primarily from its HR division, due to the success of its AI platform AskHR in automating routine HR tasks.
- Despite the layoffs, IBM's total workforce has grown, as the company reinvests in areas requiring human skills like software engineering and marketing.
- IBM's workforce changes reflect a broader shift towards AI integration, geographic reallocation, and adapting to new workplace expectations, as the company undergoes a profound transformation.