Amidst growing concerns about AI’s potential to displace human jobs, Alex Kantrowitz of Big Technology provided insights during a ‘Squawk Box’ discussion on the recent wave of tech layoffs.
He called attention to the fact layoffs in companies like PayPal, Amazon, Alphabet and others were not directly due to AI replacing human roles.
“This isn’t a moment where we’re starting to see AI replace engineering at Google. Absolutely not,” said Kantrowitz.
He also explained the strategic shifts within tech companies aiming to adapt and innovate in the AI-driven landscape.
“They’re finding places within the last year within the organization to trim and get to a place where they’re shipping faster, taking managers out,” he said, suggesting that these changes are more about organizational agility than AI-induced job cuts.
Furthermore, Kantrowitz spotlighted that the transition towards AI technologies is about making room for new talent skilled in these areas.
He emphasized the importance of building new AI technology and making room for those who can contribute to this area within the organization, underlining the intention to harness AI for innovation rather than using it as a tool for workforce reduction.
The conversation also touched on the broader implications of these layoffs for the tech industry and the job market. Despite the significant layoffs, Kantrowitz pointed out that the demand for tech talent remains high.
“Hold your hand up in this job environment if you’re a former Google engineer, and you’ll get offers,” he remarked, indicating that the tech sector continues to offer opportunities for skilled professionals, albeit in a changing landscape.
Kantrowitz’s insights challenge the narrative that AI’s rise equates to the demise of human jobs in tech, suggesting instead a shift towards a more AI-fluent workforce.
Featured image: Credit: Christy Tucker, Playground AI
