Almost half of the staff at present working at “purchase now, pay later” startup Klarna could possibly be changed by AI within the subsequent few years.
Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski advised The Monetary Instances final week that the corporate goals to nearly halve its workforce throughout the subsequent few years, from 3,800 individuals to 2,000. As a substitute of layoffs, the corporate will proceed its hiring freeze that began in September and never rent replacements for individuals who go away the corporate.
“By merely not hiring, which we’ve not carried out since September … the corporate is type of turning into smaller and smaller,” Siemiatkowski acknowledged. He identified that the typical income per Klarna worker had elevated by 73% year-over-year.
The remaining staff could have AI to assist with duties, Siemiatkowski stated.
Associated: There Are New Guidelines for ‘Purchase Now, Pay Later’ Applications — Here is What to Know
“Not solely can we do extra with much less, however we are able to do far more with much less,” he advised the Monetary Instances.
Klarna’s staff numbered 5,000 one yr in the past, however departing staff and the AI-induced hiring freeze have reduce the corporate right down to its present dimension.
Sebastian Siemiatkowski. Photograph by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Pictures for Klarna
Klarna claimed in February that its AI assistant did work equal to 700 full-time, human customer support brokers. The AI assistant introduced down buyer inquiries to 2 minutes, in comparison with the earlier 11-minute common dialog wanted with human brokers.
Associated: Klarna Says Its AI Assistant Does the Work of 700 Folks. The Firm Laid Off the Similar Variety of Workers 2 Years In the past.
Siemiatkowski wrote in a now-deleted publish on X in Could that Klarna’s in-house advertising workforce was half the dimensions it was final yr, however was producing extra with AI and spent $6 million much less.
Klarna’s second-quarter earnings report for 2024 confirmed its third consecutive quarter of progress within the U.S., with income and working earnings up 17% and 21% year-over-year respectively.
Klarna is reportedly exploring a U.S. IPO at a valuation of $20 billion.
