Block

The numbers started quietly. A few hundred here, a thousand there. But this week, the trickle became a flood — and the conversation about AI replacing human workers shifted from theoretical to terrifyingly real. Block CEO Jack Dorsey just axed nearly half his company. Four thousand jobs, gone in a single announcement. His message to the rest of corporate America? “I don’t think we’re early to this realization. I think most companies are late.” ...

There’s a moment in every technological revolution when theory becomes visceral. When the PowerPoints about “productivity gains” turn into 4,000 people cleaning out their desks. On Thursday, Block — the company behind Square, Cash App, and Afterpay — delivered that moment for the AI era. CEO Jack Dorsey announced the company is slashing its workforce by roughly 40%. More than 4,000 employees gone. From over 10,000 people down to just under 6,000. The reason, stated without euphemism: “intelligence tools.” ...