By Sanya Mansoor
Publication Date: 2026-03-08 12:00:00
MArk remembers the first time he wondered if he would teach Block’s AI tools how to do his job – and maybe even replace him. Last September he was at his fintech company’s extravagant anniversary party. While executives gave a presentation about the productivity benefits of a new internal AI tool, Mark, who worked in product, discussed his concerns with colleagues. Although he wasn’t sure what would happen in a few years, he told a colleague sitting next to him that there was no way technology was advanced enough right now to move the company forward without employees like him to help drive the vision and strategy.
These AI tools were not proactive. He had to tell them what to do. Block still needed him, he thought.
“You can’t really do that with AI,” he told the Guardian, adding that “an employee is ultimately more than a set of tasks.”
Mark was one of about 4,000 Block employees laid off last week. CEO Jack Dorsey said he has cut the company’s costs…