Australian WiseTech Cuts Several Positions, Focuses On AI-Based Efficiency

JAKARTA WiseTech Global, a software company from Australia, on Wednesday 23 July, confirmed the cut in a number of positions as part of a labor review. This step is taken to focus on "maximizing efficiency through automation and use of artificial intelligence (AI)".

In its emailed response to Reuters, the software company did not specify the number of jobs to be affected.

Previously, The Australian Financial Review reported that the headquartered logistics software provider in Sydney had notified its employees that it would increase the use of AI across businesses as part of a broad restructuring, citing an email from WiseTech chief of staff, Zubin Appoo.

WiseTech, known for its flagship platform, CargoWise, has a team of about 3,500 people in 38 countries as of June 30, 2024, according to their 2024 annual report. A spokesperson stated that the company "supports all team members affected during this transition, including access to professional work placement services."

This WiseTech move reflects a broader industrial trend, where technology companies around the world reduce the number of employees to fund large investments in AI infrastructure.

Earlier this month, Microsoft announced plans to lay off nearly 4% of its total employees, while other tech giants such as Amazon, Facebook's parent Meta, and Alphabet's Google have all cut their workforce in recent years.