Airbnb Cut 800 Jobs Last Week. Here's What We're Seeing Across 1,648 Companies.

The headline: AI is now a layoff justification

Block cut over 4,000 employees on February 27. That's 40% of the company. Gone in a day. The stated reason: AI-driven efficiency gains. Estimated restructuring cost: $450-500 million.

They're not alone. HP announced 4,000-6,000 cuts as part of an "AI-driven restructuring." Wise is cutting 29% of its workforce (2,000 jobs) over the next two years for an "AI overhaul." Even OpenAI told its own team it plans to dramatically slow hiring because AI is making employees more productive.

This is new. Not "we missed earnings" or "macro headwinds." The message from leadership is: we automated your job. Whether that's true or convenient framing, it's becoming the most common reason companies give when they cut.

Profitable companies are cutting anyway

This is the part that should change how you evaluate "stable" employers.

• Walmart: 25,000 tech roles eliminated. Roughly 10% of its global tech workforce. Across North America, Europe, and Asia.
• Salesforce: ~1,000 cut in February. Marketing, product management, data analytics, and Agentforce AI roles. Not just back office.
• ServiceNow: 15% workforce reduction. Called it a "structural efficiency program." Shares fell 18%.
• Airbnb: 800 employees on Feb 26. Cited operational efficiency. One of the largest single-day cuts in travel tech.
• Qantas: 30 roles cut at HQ. While reporting $1.46 billion in half-yearly profits. Revenue is not protection.

Where the money is actually going

Not all signals were red. Several companies raised massive rounds this week. The pattern is clear: AI infrastructure, defense, and vertical AI are pulling in capital.

• Cerebras Systems: $1B at $23B valuation. AI chip company. Benchmark led with $225M+.
• Waabi: $1B for autonomous trucks and robotaxis. Self-driving AI. Building the infrastructure layer.
• ElevenLabs: $500M at $11B valuation. Voice AI. Went from startup to decacorn in under 3 years.
• SambaNova Systems: $350M Series E. AI hardware. Led by Vista Equity Partners and Intel.
• Skyryse: $300M+ Series C. Autonomous flight systems for aviation.

$3B+ raised in a single week by companies building AI infrastructure. Billions cut in wages by companies using AI to reduce headcount. The jobs are migrating, not disappearing. But where they're landing looks very different from where they left.

Other signals worth knowing

• 🔴 Ubisoft: 200+ laid off, studios closing. Paris HQ (200), Toronto (40), plus game cancellations. Gaming continues to contract.
• 🔴 Disney: ~200 positions eliminated. ABC News Group, Disney Entertainment Networks, National Geographic, and 538 shut down.
• 🟠 PayPal: CEO stepped down, stock dropped 20%. Missed Q4, withdrew 2027 targets, now facing a shareholder lawsuit.
• 🟠 Duolingo: shares plunged 22%. Missed EBITDA estimates. Prioritizing user growth over short-term profitability.
• 🟡 OpenAI: hiring freeze announced. Sam Altman says AI productivity gains mean they don't need as many people.

How this affects your job search right now

These signals aren't just news. They change how you should evaluate the companies in front of you.

• If you're interviewing with a company on this list, ask hard questions. "What does your headcount plan look like for the next 12 months?" "Is this a backfill or a new role?" "Were any teams affected by recent restructuring?" You deserve clear answers before you commit.

• Follow the capital, not the brand name. Cerebras, Waabi, ElevenLabs, SambaNova, Skyryse. These aren't household names yet. But they have fresh capital and aggressive hiring plans. The safest bet right now isn't the biggest logo. It's the company with runway and momentum.

• Have a specific answer to "How do you use AI in your work?" This is now a standard interview question across roles. Not just engineering. Have a concrete workflow, not a philosophy. "I use X to do Y, which saves me Z hours a week" beats "I'm excited about AI's potential" every time.

• Weigh stability differently than you used to. Walmart, Salesforce, ServiceNow. These are profitable, dominant companies that still cut thousands of roles. Size and revenue alone don't mean your role is safe. Look at whether the company is investing in your function or consolidating it.

How Kinship uses this data for you

Every week, we scan all active companies in the Kinship network for layoffs, funding rounds, financial trouble, and hiring freezes using real-time web data. This week: 1,648 companies checked. 128 signals found.

When a company triggers a negative signal, we factor it directly into your job scores. A role at a company that just announced layoffs or is showing financial strain will score lower in your matches. You'll still see it if the role itself is a strong fit. But the risk is visible, not hidden.

And when a company raises a big round or shows positive momentum, that gets factored in too. Growth signals mean more headcount, more budget, and a better chance your role actually gets supported after you start.

You shouldn't have to find out a company is struggling after you've accepted the offer. Kinship surfaces these signals before you apply, before you interview, and before you decide. That's the whole point.