WiseTech Global cuts 2,000 jobs as AI ends manual coding era in logistics software
8 Sources
[1]
WiseTech to Cut 2,000 Jobs as AI Ends Era of Manual Coding
WiseTech Global Ltd. plans to cut about 2,000 jobs under an AI-driven revamp, crystallizing efficiencies from artificial intelligence that are upending the global software industry. "I am prepared to say this clearly: the era of manually writing code as the core act of engineering is over," Chief
[2]
Australia union seeks urgent talks with WiseTech over AI‑driven job cuts
Feb 26 (Reuters) - An Australian trade union has sought an urgent meeting with WiseTech Global (WTC.AX), opens new tab after the software firm announced it would cut about 2,000 jobs as part of a two‑year artificial intelligence-linked restructuring. Professionals Australia, which represents tech
[3]
Australia's WiseTech Global plans 2,000 job cuts amid AI-led revamp
Feb 25 (Reuters) - Australian logistics software firm WiseTech Global (WTC.AX), opens new tab said on Wednesday it would lay off about 2,000 people over the next two years as it adopts artificial intelligence across its software and internal operations. The layoffs would affect around 29% of
[4]
WiseTech drops Australia's first AI jobs bomb
Rapid, large-scale deployment of artificial intelligence is happening, with the companies most at risk of disruption leading the charge. It's only a few years since Richard White, the founder and executive chairman of logistics software group WiseTech Global, was a little sceptical about the rush
[5]
WiseTech cites AI as it axes 2000 developer and customer service jobs
WiseTech Global is axing up to 2000 jobs and says artificial intelligence has reduced the need to have developers and customer service staff in what the software giant has described as the "most significant shift in decades". The cuts represent almost 30 per cent of the company's headcount, with
[6]
Australia union seeks urgent talks with WiseTech over AI‑driven job cuts
An Australian trade union has sought an urgent meeting with WiseTech Global after the software firm announced it would cut about 2,000 jobs as part of a two‑year artificial intelligence-linked restructuring. An Australian trade union has sought an urgent meeting with WiseTech Global after the
[7]
Australia's WiseTech Global plans 2,000 job cuts amid AI overhaul
Australian software logistics firm WiseTech Global on Wednesday said it would lay off about 2,000 people over the next two years, as it adopts artificial intelligence across its software and internal operations. Logistics software firm WiseTech Global said on Wednesday it would cut about
[8]
Aussie tech giant slashing 2,000 jobs as it goes all in on AI
An Australian tech giant plans on axing up to 2,000 of its 7,000 global staff over the coming two years as it embraces artificial intelligence. WiseTech Global, owned by Australian billionaire Richard White, on Wednesday told investors the tech company is venturing on with the next phase of its
Share
Copy Link
Australian logistics software firm WiseTech Global announced it will eliminate 2,000 jobs over two years as part of an AI-driven restructuring. CEO Zubin Appoo declared the era of manual coding over, citing automation and efficiency gains. The cuts affect 29% of the global workforce, prompting union demands for urgent consultation.
WiseTech Global Announces Sweeping AI Job Cuts
WiseTech Global has announced plans to eliminate 2,000 jobs over the next two years as artificial intelligence fundamentally reshapes how the logistics software firm operates
1
. The Sydney-based company's CEO Zubin Appoo made a stark declaration: "the era of manually writing code as the core act of engineering is over"1
. This represents one of Australia's most significant AI-driven restructuring efforts to date, affecting approximately 29% of WiseTech Global's workforce of around 7,000 people across 40 countries2
.
Source: Financial Review
End of Manual Coding Signals Industry Transformation
Appoo's announcement crystallizes what many in the software development industry have feared: artificial intelligence is enabling "significantly more automation" and "unlocking levels of efficiency gains across WiseTech that were previously out of reach"
1
. The CEO emphasized that software development has experienced its most significant shift in decades3
. Developer and customer service jobs will be among the first affected, with some teams potentially reduced to half their current size5
. The recently acquired U.S. cloud computing firm e2open, purchased for $3.2 billion last year, may see workforce reduction of up to 50%3
.
Source: ET
Large-Scale AI Deployment Transforms Freight-Software Operations
The logistics software firm plans to integrate AI into both customer-facing software and internal operations as part of its AI-led revamp
2
. Appoo countered investor fears that artificial intelligence would make the company's freight-software redundant, arguing instead that AI allows WiseTech to offer more value and embed its products deeper into customer operations1
. The company reported underlying net profit climbed 2% to A$114.5 million ($81 million) in the six months ended December 311
. Despite this modest profit increase, WiseTech stock has slumped 37% this year alone and is down 70% since hitting a record high in November 20243
. However, shares jumped 10.7% in early trading to A$47.60 following the announcement3
.Related Stories
Union Demands Consultation on AI-Driven Restructuring
Professionals Australia, representing tech and engineering workers, has sought an urgent meeting with WiseTech Global following the announcement
2
. Director Paul Inglis stated that WiseTech is required to consult staff and the union before implementing major workplace changes, demanding written details on how new AI systems will be deployed, their likely impact on jobs, and measures to avoid or reduce redundancies2
. "The introduction of AI on this scale is clearly a major workplace change," Inglis said, adding that consultation must include transparency on the scope of job reductions and genuine consideration of alternatives such as redeployment and retraining2
.Leadership Transition Amid Automation Push
The announcement comes as WiseTech navigates a leadership transition. Appoo was named CEO in July last year partly to address investor governance concerns following allegations raised in late 2024 about the conduct of founder and then-CEO Richard White
1
. White, who was accused of making payments to an alleged former lover among others, now serves as WiseTech's chairman3
. Observers note that rapid, large-scale deployment of artificial intelligence is happening, with companies most at risk of disruption leading the charge4
. The 2,000 jobs eliminated represent nearly 30% of the company's headcount, marking what the software giant describes as the most significant shift in decades5
.
Source: Bloomberg
References
Summarized by
Navi
[4]
[5]
Related Stories
WiseTech Global Announces Job Cuts Amid AI-Driven Efficiency Push
23 Jul 2025•Business and Economy
WiseTech begins redundancies but removes AI references from emails to Chinese employees
21 May 2026•Business and Economy
Atlassian Replaces 150 Jobs with AI, Sparking Controversy Over Layoff Method and CEO's Actions
31 Jul 2025•Business and Economy
Recent Highlights
1
OpenAI Solves Navier-Stokes Problem With AI, Sparking Existential Crisis in Mathematics
Science and Research
2
OpenAI Agents Launched RubyGems Attack With 2,000+ Malicious Packages, Attempted API Key Theft
Technology
3
OpenAI Reveals 6 New Cases of AI Models Hiding Mistakes and Breaking Rules
Policy and Regulation
Recent Highlights
Today's Top Stories
Don’t drown in AI news. We cut through the noise - filtering, ranking and summarizing the most important AI news, breakthroughs and research daily. Follow topics that matter to you and stay ahead.
