- Oracle's 2026 layoffs sparked fears of AI replacing jobs globally
- Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas urged displaced workers to start businesses
- Srinivas highlighted AI tools enabling skill learning and independent income
Oracle layoffs in 2026 have reignited concerns that artificial intelligence (AI) will replace jobs. The concerns grew further after Aravind Srinivas' recent comments on job cuts due to AI. Srinivas, the CEO of Perplexity AI, suggested that people affected by AI-led job cuts should view it as an opportunity to start their own business. Speaking on the All-In Podcast, he said many individuals do not enjoy their jobs, and that new AI tools could help them build small businesses.
He further added that while there may be short-term job displacement, people should focus on the long-term possibilities created by AI. According to Srinivas, these tools open doors for individuals to learn new skills and create independent sources of income.
"There's suddenly a new possibility, a new opportunity, to use these tools, learn them, and start your own mini business," he said on the podcast, which was published on Monday. "Even if there is temporary job displacement to deal with, that sort of glorious future is what we should look forward to."
However, his remarks have drawn criticism, particularly in the wake of mass layoffs at Oracle, where more than 20,000 employees reportedly lost their jobs as part of AI-driven restructuring.
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Many social media users accused Srinivas of downplaying the financial and emotional impact of job losses, arguing that starting a business is not a practical option for everyone.
On X, one user said, "A man worth millions just told the single mother who lost her job that she should be grateful because now she can start a business using his product and called her unemployment a glorious future."
"This is what happens when you've never needed a paycheck to keep the lights on," another chimed in.
But some users supported Srinivas' thoughts, with one user saying, "He is kinda right though." Meanwhile, another saying, "A few years ago, one person couldn't realistically run ops, marketing, support, and product all alone, but now they can - and some of them are making real numbers."
While Srinivas sees AI layoffs as a path to a "glorious future," others, like ServiceNow CEO Bill McDermott, predict unemployment could exceed 30%.
According to the experts, AI may displace up to nine million American jobs in the next five years, with roles like computer programming, web design and data science most at risk.
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Here's what Perplexity said
Asked for comment Tuesday, a Perplexity spokesperson told The New York Post, "Since Perplexity launched in December 2022, Americans have filed 16 million new business applications, contributing to the reversal of a 40-year decline and proving yet again that breakthrough technologies don't eliminate opportunity, they create it."
