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Upwork Cuts 25 Percent Workforce and Warns AI Will Shrink Teams Further
Technology
Published on 8 May 2026
CEO says AI will reduce headcount and hiring
Upwork CEO Hayden Brown announced the company will lay off 25% of its workforce, citing that AI will drive how work is matched and delivered. The move signals accelerating cost-cutting across the tech and freelancing sector, with leadership warning that teams could get smaller as automation reshapes operations, roles, and demand for human-led services.
- Upwork confirms layoffs affecting a quarter of staff
- CEO attributes the decision to AI driven changes
- Company expects smaller teams going forward
- Freelancing and tech firms face faster restructuring
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This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
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