Part 10/15:
Oracle demonstrated an intensified focus on AI data centers, collaborating with OpenAI on Stargate while simultaneously announcing thousands of layoffs—speculated at up to 10% of their workforce. Such cuts are attributed to a strategic pivot to better align with OpenAI’s mission, underscoring capital reallocation toward infrastructure.
Simultaneously, salesforce announced a 45% reduction in their customer support staff (from 9,000 to approximately 5,000), replacing roles with AI agents. This exemplifies a broader market trend: as AI tools become more capable, numerous white-collar roles face displacement, intensifying concerns over labor market disruption.