TikTok Undergoes Significant Layoffs in Africa

TECH DIGEST- TikTok has initiated a substantial reduction of its workforce in Africa as part of a broader global restructuring. The social media platform has laid off employees across its South African and Nigerian divisions,impacting departments such as content operations, marketing, and trust and safety.

This latest round of cuts follows earlier reductions in March and is expected to continue into the third quarter of 2024.While exact figures remain undisclosed, reports suggest over half of the African team, estimated to be around 100 employees, has been affected.

While the company attributes these layoffs to routine business evaluations, speculation has linked them to TikTok’s ongoing regulatory challenges in the United States. However, a company insider has dismissed this connection.

This development marks a significant departure from TikTok’s typical approach of smaller-scale reorganizations. Other tech industry, including Meta and Microsoft, have also implemented job cuts in Africa.

The post TikTok Undergoes Significant Layoffs in Africa appeared first on Tech Digest News.

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.

READ ALSO: WhatsApp Responds to Users Feedback on Latest Features

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.

The post Apple to Expand UK Workforce Amid Tech Industry Layoffs appeared first on Tech Digest News.