CrowdStrike cut about 500 jobs, and its chief executive told staff that AI flattens the hiring curve

CrowdStrike, the cybersecurity company, announced on 6 May 2025 a plan that it told the SEC "is expected to result in a reduction of roles representing approximately 500 positions or 5% of the Company's global workforce." The filing attaches the note chief executive George Kurtz sent to employees, and under the heading "Why We're Doing This" the first reason he gives is AI: "AI has always been foundational to how we operate. AI flattens our hiring curve, and helps us innovate from idea to product faster. It streamlines go-to-market, improves customer outcomes, and drives efficiencies across both the front and back office. AI is a force multiplier throughout the business." The same note says the company is "reducing roles in some areas of the business" while it will "continue to prudently hire, primarily in customer-facing and product engineering roles." CrowdStrike put the cost of the plan at $36 million to $53 million and expected it to be largely complete by the end of its second fiscal quarter. The company was not shrinking for lack of business: the letter describes a path to $10 billion in annual recurring revenue with nearly 10,000 staff. Its chief executive's explanation is that AI lets it get there with fewer of them.