From Cisco to Block, more companies are pointing to AI when unveiling job cuts

Ah, the old 'AI made me do it' defence. Cisco's CEO is

the latest to trot out the claim that 'hard decisions' — translation: sacking thousands — are necessary to invest in AI. Now Block (the Square people) joins the chorus, waving AI as the excuse for trimming headcount. Because nothing says 'innovative future' quite like showing your current workforce the door.

The pattern is becoming as predictable as a bad sitcom: revenue up, share price up, CEO announces 'AI transformation,' workers out. The cognitive dissonance is dizzying, but the optics are convenient — blame the machine, keep the bonuses.

One wonders how long this charade can last before even the most gullible investor notices that 'investing in AI' is corporate-speak for 'we'd rather not pay salaries.' Still, chin up — perhaps those laid-off workers can train the AI that replaced them, if they're lucky enough to get a gig as a data-labourer. Progress, eh?