Emily Fontaine is the global head of venture capital at IBM. The company’s venture fund, IBM Ventures, is a $500 million fund currently focused mostly on AI and quantum computing. So far it has made 23 investments in companies including Hugging Face (tools for machine learning), Not Diamond (optimizes the choice of AI model on a task-by-task basis), Unstructured (which structures data for LLMs), QEDMA (error correction in quantum computing), and Reality Defender (deepfake detection software). Fontaine tal ...

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the alarming trend of mass layoffs in the tech industry, driven primarily by the integration of AI technologies, which is leading to significant job losses and a restructuring of workforce dynamics [3][50]. Group 1: Layoffs and AI Impact - Microsoft recently announced a new round of layoffs, cutting 9,000 jobs, contributing to a total of 94,000 tech workers laid off in the U.S. in 2025 alone [5][6]. - The layoffs are not merely cost-cutting measures; they reflect a strategic shift towards AI, with companies reallocating resources to AI projects and infrastructure [6][50]. - The layoffs are occurring despite strong financial performance, as evidenced by Microsoft's Q1 2025 revenue of $70.1 billion, a 13% year-over-year increase [58]. Group 2: Specific Job Losses - Certain job roles are at higher risk of being eliminated due to AI advancements, including software engineers, HR positions, customer service roles, content creation, data analysis, and middle management [52][54][56][57]. - In recent layoffs, 40% of the affected employees at Microsoft were developers, indicating a significant impact on software engineering roles [53]. Group 3: Corporate Responses and Reactions - A controversial suggestion from a Microsoft Xbox executive advised laid-off employees to use AI tools for emotional support and career planning, which sparked backlash from the public [10][11][18]. - The article also shares the story of a former Microsoft employee who experienced multiple layoffs, illustrating the uncertainty and instability faced by workers in the tech industry [30][36].