Apple to Expand UK Workforce Amid Tech Industry Layoffs
TECH DIGEST- In a remarkable departure from the recent trend of layoffs across the tech sector, Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, has revealed the company’s plans to expand its workforce in the United Kingdom, focusing on the field of artificial intelligence (AI). This announcement comes on the heels of news that Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, is reducing its workforce by 16%.
While tech industries like Amazon, Meta, Google, and Microsoft have been shedding tens of thousands of jobs since 2022, Tim Cook has consistently voiced his concerns about the prevalence of tech industry layoffs. In May, he characterized such actions as a “last resort.” Instead, Cook emphasized Apple’s commitment to growth, particularly in the burgeoning field of AI.
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When questioned about AI and job opportunities in the UK, Cook confirmed, “We’re hiring in that area, yes, and so I do expect [investment] to increase.” This move aligns with the broader industry trend of substantial investments in AI. For instance, Amazon recently announced an investment of up to $4 billion in San Francisco-based AI firm Anthropic.
Microsoft had set the precedent earlier in the year with a multibillion-dollar investment in OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT. Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan lauded Apple’s decision as “another vote of confidence in our burgeoning tech sector” and emphasized its significance in positioning the UK as an AI and technology powerhouse.
Antony Walker, deputy chief of techUK, acknowledged the transformative potential of AI in boosting staff headcounts in AI-related businesses in the short term. However, he emphasized the need for a long-term strategy that prioritizes digital skills training and lifelong learning to meet the evolving demands of the AI-powered economy.
