BT CEO Considers Further Job Cuts with AI Advancements

BT's CEO Allison Kirkby suggests that advancements in AI could lead to deeper job cuts at the telecoms company, which is already planning to reduce its workforce by up to 55,000 by 2030.

BT CEO Allison Kirkby has indicated that advancements in artificial intelligence could result in further job cuts at the telecoms giant, reports Reuters. The company had previously announced plans to reduce its workforce by up to 55,000 by 2030 as part of a cost-cutting strategy.

Kirkby, who took over as CEO last year, stated that the initial plans to cut costs by £3 billion did not fully account for the potential efficiencies AI could bring. She suggested that depending on the insights gained from AI, BT might operate with an even smaller workforce by the end of the decade.

In addition to workforce reductions, Kirkby has been focusing on streamlining BT's operations, including selling off its Italian business and its Irish wholesale and enterprise unit. The company is also considering the future of its network infrastructure business, Openreach, if its value is not adequately reflected in BT's share price.

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