Block lays off 40% of workforce as it goes all-in on AI tools

February 28, 2026
Block lays off 40% of workforce as it goes all-in on AI tools

Here’s something that might surprise you — Block, the fintech giant co-founded by Jack Dorsey, is slashing nearly half its workforce. And get this — it's all because of the rise of AI tools. Shares shot up over 25 percent after the announcement, which shows investors are betting big on this shift. According to Peter Wells and Akila Quinio from the Financial Times, Dorsey himself says AI has fundamentally changed how companies operate. So what does this mean for you? Well, it’s not just about automation; it’s reshaping entire industries and jobs. But here's where it gets interesting — this isn’t just a blip. It’s a sign that AI's influence on employment is accelerating fast, even at a major player like Block. As Wells and Quinio report, this move underscores a broader trend: companies are rethinking their workforces and strategies around AI-driven efficiency. And honestly, it’s a game-changer to watch. The big question now? How will this ripple effect impact the future job market — and your career?

Block, the fintech group headed by Twitter cofounder Jack Dorsey, will cut its workforce by “nearly half” in one of the clearest signs of the sweeping changes AI tools are having on employment.

Shares in the payment company soared more than 25 percent in after-hours trading on Thursday as it announced it would shed more than 4,000 jobs from its 10,000-strong workforce.

“Intelligence tools have changed what it means to build and run a company. We’re already seeing it internally,” Dorsey wrote in a letter to shareholders.

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Block, the fintech group headed by Twitter cofounder Jack Dorsey, will cut its workforce by “nearly half” in one of the clearest signs of the sweeping changes AI tools are having on employment.

Shares in the payment company soared more than 25 percent in after-hours trading on Thursday as it announced it would shed more than 4,000 jobs from its 10,000-strong workforce.

“Intelligence tools have changed what it means to build and run a company. We’re already seeing it internally,” Dorsey wrote in a letter to shareholders.

Read full article

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Block lays off 40% of workforce as it goes all-in on AI tools | Speasy