Pavel A. Samsonov

The claim "you won't be replaced by AI, but by a person using AI" is nonsense. The Block layoff victims were some of the most productive, #llm pilled people in the company, but it didn't save them, because that's not what layoffs are about.

The layoff script goes, as always:
- overhire
- lay everyone off
- pretend it's because of #AI productivity gains
- stock go up

There is no individual solution that will protect you from bad leadership and cost cutting.

https://productpicnic.beehiiv.com/p/ai-layoffs-like-block-s-are-a-race-to-the-bottom-that-have-nothing-to-do-with-productivity

#tech

"AI layoffs" like Block's are a race to the bottom that have nothing to do with productivity.

You won't be replaced by AI, nor a person using AI, because backfills aren't real.

The Product Picnic
Mar 2 at 11:44amWeb
Show threadPavel A. SamsonovMar 2

Thanks to @CyberneticForests @richburroughs @davidgerard @jenniferplusplus @tante @jasongorman @iris_meredith and everyone else not yet on Fedi for the writing and ideas in this week's Product Picnic.

Liked the article? Subscribe! It's free, it's, weekly, it's got links; you know how a newsletter works. This one is about the nonsense going on in software development generally/UX and product management specifically, and what you can do about it as a professional caught up in the madness.

Show threadMay Likes TorontoMar 2
@PavelASamsonov Tech is constantly conflating IC-level perceived productivity with organization-level efficiency and I'm so tired.
Show threadPoligofsky 🇨🇦 .. 🚫🤖Mar 2
@PavelASamsonov Cost cutting, layoffs, share buybacks: all tacit evidence that CEOs don’t know how to create value anymore, only raise rents.
Show threadDeixis9Mar 2

@PavelASamsonov

The private company exists to maximise investor profit.

Show threadFreediverXMar 2
@Deixis9 @PavelASamsonov
Then private companies should be abolished.
Show threadFreediverXMar 2
@PavelASamsonov
I can’t remember the last time I saw a tech company focused on making a great product rather than on manipulating their stock price at the expense of customers and employees.
Show threadcanleaf08✅ 加拿大葉子 🏳️‍🌈⚧️🇪🇺🍁Mar 2

@PavelASamsonov

- Getting wet feet because crucial systems like keycards are no longer administrated.
- Hiring back
- repeat

They tried this nonesense on me recently.

Show threadAnnelies Kamran, Ph.D.Mar 2
@PavelASamsonov @tchambers "There is no individual solution that will protect you from bad leadership and cost cutting" needs to be engraved in people's minds!
Show threadAnnelies Kamran, Ph.D.Mar 2
@PavelASamsonov @tchambers and it applies to EVERY industry
Show threadMortenMar 2
@PavelASamsonov I'm sure I heard somewhere that engineering was pretty much spared in the Block slaughter
Show threadPavel A. SamsonovMar 2
@drgroftehauge Not from what I'm seeing on LinkedIn but I'm open to other sources
Show threadMortenMar 5

@PavelASamsonov Maybe it was simply someone trying to argue like you that the AI explanation was a smokescreen. I came across this article just now.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ronshevlin/2026/02/27/block-lays-off-40-of-staff-and-blames-it-on-ai-dont-buy-the-excuse/

Block Lays Off 40% Of Staff And Blames It On AI. Don’t Buy The Excuse.

Block’s 40% layoffs spark questions about AI’s role and overhiring. Here’s what the data shows about headcount, compliance risk and what the cuts could signal.

Forbes
Show threadderptronMar 2

@PavelASamsonov I've noticed that for some reason the people who spend the most time performing anilingus for the boss are the ones that get to stick around the longest. Get to hang out through a pump and dump.

I'm always in the first group told to fuck off. :)

Show threadMitch RoseMar 2

@PavelASamsonov

Agree. I've personally seen it. Only and all about the $$$

Show threadWoke Leftist TrashMar 4
@PavelASamsonov I don’t believe it’s about “over hiring,” considering these companies hired the people they did and still posted record profits. Makes no sense.