Even though the overall economy has received a significant AI-related boost, January has been tough for many Bay Area tech workers.
According to Layoffs.fyi, more than 10,000 job cuts have already been made in the first weeks of the new year. However, AI appears to be an area where companies are still hiring.
“Remember, our entire history is that industries are invented, reach a point of maturity, and then become obsolete. This has been repeated over and over again, and has been in our story for 80 years. '' said Russell Hancock, CEO of the Silicon Valley joint venture.
Companies like Google, eBay, ChargePoint, and even TikTok are all shifting their focus and their work to AI.
“This is a learning experience for everyone,” said John Comeau, who was laid off in Silicon Valley.
He says it's always good to have a backup plan and keep up with current technology trends.
“If you just persist and keep trying, opportunities will come your way. I mean with AI and all sorts of things happening,” Comeau said.
And he's right. For example, his San Jose-based AiDash, which he just raised $50 million in venture capital to leverage AI to fight climate change, is also hiring.
CEO Abhishek Singh said, “We currently have 300 employees and plan to double our size to 600 over the next two years, including aggressive hiring in the Bay Area. ” he said.
He added that many of the hires will take place within the next six months.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai released a memo saying the company will focus on its priorities. It could mean new AI-related jobs and perhaps layoffs in other areas as well.
For many tech workers in the Bay Area, January of this year was tough. Raj Mathai talks to Scott Budman about this.
