‘We said goodbye to those people’: CEO fires 80% staff resisting AI adoption
The narrative around AI has largely revolved around machines taking over routine roles at major tech firms. But in some cases, it’s not AI replacing humans—it’s humans losing jobs for refusing to work alongside AI, The Financial Express reported.
Eric Vaughan, chief executive of business-to-business software firm IgniteTech, dismissed nearly 80 percent of his workforce after what he described as “mass resistance, even sabotage” against his company-wide AI adoption drive.
Calling the move an “existential” necessity, Vaughan said employees who rejected AI integration were shown the door.
Despite the mass layoffs, he doubled down on his vision by appointing a Chief AI Officer and restructuring the organisation so every division reported to the new AI head.
The gamble appears to have paid off.
By late 2024, IgniteTech had rolled out two AI-powered products, completed a major acquisition, and pushed its EBITDA margins close to 75 percent.
Vaughan insists the decision went beyond technology, framing it as a cultural and strategic overhaul. “We said goodbye to those people,” he remarked.
When asked if he would repeat the decision, his response was unequivocal: “Absolutely.”
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