Jack Dorsey just gave us our first glimpse at how doomsday layoffs could work in the AI era — and it's bleak (www.businessinsider.com)

CEO Jack Dorsey of Block has announced a drastic workforce reduction, cutting nearly 50% of its employees—over 4,000 workers—despite the company’s profitability. This bold move, aimed at avoiding the morale and productivity issues stemming from repeated layoffs, could set a precedent for other tech companies as they navigate the transformative impacts of AI on their operations. Dorsey emphasized the need for a more streamlined approach to management, stating that AI tools paired with smaller teams represent a shift in how companies build and operate. This unprecedented scale of layoffs underscores growing concerns within the tech industry about the future of white-collar jobs in an AI-driven landscape. Analysts suggest that this could trigger a wave of similar cuts across the sector, as firms scramble to optimize efficiency and boost financial performance amid changing labor dynamics. While some predict a potential "mass extinction" of certain job roles, others note that new jobs may emerge alongside evolving AI technologies. With Block's stock rising significantly post-announcement, the implications for corporate strategy and workforce management in the age of AI are becoming increasingly clear.