“Artificial Intelligence Can Already Do Everything”: This Company Is No Longer Hiring Anyone Because of AI

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In a context where artificial intelligence is disrupting the professional world, the statements of the boss of Klarna resonate like a warning.

The Swedish payment splitting giant, which works with more than 575,000 merchants, has reduced its workforce from 4,500 to 3,500 employees, simply letting natural departures do their work. A strategy that reflects a deep conviction: AI would already be capable of replacing humans in their functions.

A company that bets everything on AI

Sebastian Siemiatkowski doesn’t do things by halves. For him, artificial intelligence is not just a technological trend, but a revolution capable of radically transforming the world of work. His company Klarna has taken the lead by completely stopping recruitment for a year. The only hiring now concerns replacements for essential positions, mainly in engineering.

This radical approach is accompanied by a promise to the remaining employees: the savings made on the payroll will translate into salary increases. A clear message that suggests the future will belong to a smaller but better paid workforce, working hand in hand with AI.

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A wake-up call for the job market

McKinsey & Company’s forecasts lend credence to Klarna’s choices. According to the consultancy firm, 12 million American workers will have to change jobs by 2030 due to advances in AI. Klarna’s decisions could therefore foreshadow a broader trend in the technology sector.

The choice not to replace natural departures, which represent around 20% of the workforce each year, allows the company to gradually reduce its payroll without resorting to mass layoffs. An approach that could set a precedent for other companies seeking to adapt to the age of AI.

The emergence of a new business model

Klarna’s strategy raises fundamental questions about the future of work. How can companies balance AI adoption with their social responsibilities? Will the promise of pay rises for remaining employees be enough to compensate for the reduction in job opportunities??

This transformation could herald the emergence of a new business model where AI plays a central role, significantly reducing the need for human labor. Companies will need to rethink their organization, processes and culture to effectively integrate these technologies.

The financial sector, which is particularly ripe for automation, could be one of the first to undergo this transformation. Klarna, as an innovative fintech, may be showing the way for other players in the sector to follow in the years to come.

• Klarna has stopped recruiting for a year, convinced that AI can replace human labor
• The company has reduced its workforce by 1,000 people by letting natural departures occur without replacing them
• This strategy is accompanied by a promise of a raise for the remaining employees thanks to the savings made

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