Jakarta - The wave of AI disruption is getting more real. Snap Inc., the company behind Snapchat, reportedly cut around 1,000 employees or about 16% of its total workforce. This move is a strong signal that AI is no longer just a trend - but has begun to replace the role of humans in the technology industry.
This decision was taken as part of a cost-efficiency strategy as well as an impetus to increase productivity with a leaner team.
AI Becomes a New Efficiency Machine
Snap states that advances in artificial intelligence make it possible for many jobs - especially repetitive ones - to be automated. That way, companies can operate faster without having to maintain a large organizational structure.
This push also comes from activist investors such as Irenic Capital Management, which is pressuring Snap to improve efficiency and profitability.
The result? A classic Silicon Valley mash-up of 2026: fewer humans, more algorithms.
Not a Single Case
Snap is not the only one. A number of other giants such as Meta Platforms, Amazon, and Nike are also beginning to rely on AI to replace some human jobs.
This phenomenon marks a major shift in the labor market - where AI-based efficiency begins to outperform traditional labor-based models.
Still Growing in the Middle of Layoffs
Interestingly, in the midst of employee cuts, Snap actually projected revenue growth of around 12% in the first quarter, reaching around 1.53 billion US dollars.
However, this restructuring also carries costs - estimated at between 94 million to 130 million US dollars related to layoffs.
In addition to AI, Snap is also aggressively investing in the augmented reality (AR) device line, including the development of "Specs" smart glasses.
The collaboration with Qualcomm through the Snapdragon XR platform shows that Snap wants to play in the future of computing - not just social media.
However, competition remains tight, especially with the dominance of EssilorLuxottica which partnered with Meta in smart glasses products.
This wave of AI-based layoffs underscores one thing: digital transformation is now entering a more "brutal" phase. It's no longer about helping humans work faster - but replacing some of the work itself. Although companies can't completely eliminate the role of humans, the direction of change is clear.
In this era, the question is no longer "will AI take jobs?", but "which jobs will be taken first?"
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