In a context where artificial intelligence is disrupting the professional world, the statements of the boss of Klarna sound like a warning.
The Swedish split payment giant, which works with more than 575,000 merchants, reduced its workforce from 4,500 to 3,500 employees by 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 focuses everything on AI
Sebastian Siemiatkowski does not do things by half measures. For him, artificial intelligence is not a simple technological trend, but a revolution capable of radically transforming the world of work. His company Klarna took the lead by completely ceasing recruitment for a year. The only hiring now concerns the replacement of essential positions, mainly in engineering.
This radical approach comes with a promise to remaining employees: Savings on 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.
A wake-up call for the labor market
McKinsey & Company’s forecasts lend credence to Klarna’s choices. According to the consulting 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 massive layoffs. An approach that could become a model for other companies seeking to adapt to the AI era.
The emergence of a new business model
Klarna’s strategy raises fundamental questions about the future of work. How can businesses balance AI adoption with their social responsibilities? Will the promise of salary increases for remaining employees be enough to offset 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, particularly ripe for automation, could be one of the first to undergo this transformation. Klarna, as an innovative fintech company, is perhaps leading the way for other industry players to follow in the years to come.
- Klarna stopped all recruitment for a year, convinced that AI can replace human labor
- The company reduced its workforce by 1,000 people, leaving natural departures without replacing them
- This strategy is accompanied by a promise of raises for remaining employees thanks to the savings made
