Australian logistics software company WiseTech Global has announced plans to cut approximately 2,000 jobs over the next two years as part of a significant artificial intelligence (AI) integration. The decision comes as the company aims to incorporate AI technology into its software solutions and internal operations, impacting nearly 29% of its workforce across 40 countries.
WiseTech Global’s CEO, Zubin Appoo, emphasized the transformative shift in software development, stating that manual coding will no longer be the primary engineering practice. The job cuts, one of the largest in Australia in terms of percentage, will primarily affect roles in product development and customer service, with the U.S. cloud computing division, E2open, facing potential reductions of up to 50% following its $2.1 billion acquisition last year.
This move reflects the rapid evolution of AI in reshaping global workplace dynamics, with automation tools increasingly handling routine tasks and complex coding processes more efficiently. The announcement by WiseTech Global aligns with a broader trend, as seen in recent job cut announcements by tech giants like Amazon, indicating the industry’s transition towards AI-driven efficiencies.
Despite the substantial job cuts, WiseTech Global reported a strong first-half performance, surpassing market expectations with an underlying net profit of $114.5 million. The company remains optimistic about its full-year outlook, demonstrating resilience amid the ongoing transformation in the tech landscape.
Source: Tech-Economic Times