Uber Layoffs: Uber to cut over 3,000 jobs; second-largest layoff since COVID-19

More than 3,000 people are set to lose their jobs at Uber. This marks the company’s second-largest round of layoffs since the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, in 2020, the company laid off thousands of employees, letting go of 6,700 staff members. Explaining the reason behind the current layoffs, the company stated that it aims to downsize its workforce and reduce management layers to cut costs. The company says it is reducing expenses to prepare for a new phase of growth in the coming days.

Uber is set to eliminate approximately 3,300 jobs globally, representing about 10% of its workforce. According to Bloomberg, officials stated that they are undertaking a major restructuring—aimed at improving the company, reducing management layers, and saving funds for the next phase of growth—and these 3,300 layoffs are part of that process. They also noted that the goal is to make the platform simpler and faster, while eliminating coordination issues caused by the company’s massive size.

This move comes as Uber seeks to allocate more resources to its core ride-hailing and delivery businesses. Furthermore, the company is already preparing for a future driven by robotaxis in the coming years. According to a recent SEC filing, Uber has a total global workforce of approximately 34,000 employees and operates in over 70 countries.

These layoffs at Uber occur at a time when jobs are being cut worldwide due to the rise of AI. Simultaneously, the company intends to make significant investments in modern technology, with robotaxis cited as a top priority. According to a media report, the company aims to establish itself as a major platform for autonomous ride-hailing in the coming years. To this end, Uber has planned to invest over $10 billion in robotaxi partnerships. The company has also invested in firms such as Avride, Lucid, Nuro, and Rivian.