Bolt to Lay Off Third of Workforce Following AI Investments

Fintech firm Bolt is reportedly laying off around one third of its staff, according to Fintech Business Weekly. 

The company, which says it “provides businesses with best-in-class customer conversion through seamless and secure one-click checkout,” alongside its finance and crypto “SuperApp,” may have made the decision to lay off workers because of investments in AI, according to Bolt.

CEO and co-founder Ryan Breslow described the decision as “unavoidable,” in the company’s Slack channel, as reported on by Fintech Business Weekly, saying: “Going forward, Bolt will be operating as a much leaner organisation and leveraging AI at our core. 

“Developing products and operating in 2026 is very different than it was in prior years and we need to adapt as an organisation to be leaner and more AI-centric than ever to keep up with competition.”

Remote Acquisition Targets Complex HR Admin Hurdles

Remote, a global employment operating system, has bought Bravas, a device management, identity and access technology company. 

Through the deal, Remote aims to bring “best-in-class mobile device management and identity and access management” into its platform. The business also aims to extend its vision of providing a “single system” that manages the “full employee lifecycle” for teams operating across the globe.

Speaking exclusively to HR Chief Magazine, Remote’s CEO and Co-Founder, Job van der Voort said: "We’re thrilled to welcome the Bravas team to Remote. 

“Our Global Workforce Report shows companies employ people in 3.6 countries on average, but managing those teams often means piecing together many different tools just to keep things running. With this acquisition, we’re bringing identity and device management into the same platform companies already use for employment, payroll and compliance.”

Are AI Job Cuts Really an ‘Inevitability’?

Following plans to cut 40% of its workforce, Block CFO and COO Amrita Ahuja has shared that she believes the fintech firm’s AI layoff strategy is an "inevitability" for many organisations. 

Speaking at the WSJ CEO Council Summit, Amrita said: “It feels like the acceleration is actually only quickening and we are seeing, really, an inevitability at this point around productivity gains and what that means for us as a business.”

The cuts, announced in February, are set to impact 4,000 jobs, with CEO Jack Dorsey describing it as a “difficult decision,” with AI tools changing “what it means to build and run a company.”

When asked if she believes other companies will follow a similar path, Amrita said: “I think it’s an inevitability. As a CFO, I think it’s better to be a little bit early than to be too late here.”

Jamie Dimon: AI Will Positively Impact Employee Productivity

Jamie Dimon has issued his annual letter to shareholders, outlining how technological transformation and mounting competitive pressures will reshape the bank's workforce in an increasingly complex global environment.

The JPMorgan Chase CEO acknowledged that artificial intelligence implementation will fundamentally alter every aspect of the organisation, with significant consequences for employees. Whilst Jamie positioned the bank as "champions of banking's essential role in a community" committed to creating a more inclusive economy, he was candid about the workforce disruptions ahead.

Citing global conflicts and a shifting business landscape, Jamie says: "Two things are absolutely foundational to our long-term success: the first is that we run a great company, and the second, which is maybe more important, is that the vitality of America domestically and the future of the free and democratic world are strong."

He continued: "Throughout 2025, JPMorgan Chase demonstrated the power of its investment philosophy and guiding principles, as well as the value of being there for clients – as we always are – in both good times and bad times."

This approach delivered revenue of US$185.6bn and net income of US$57bn in 2025, according to Jamie.

Gallagher: Why Benefits Strategies Fail by Generation

Global insurance and risk management consultancy Gallagher reveals how employee benefit preferences shift across generations.

Through the analysis of 65,000 UK employees, Gallagher found that young workers – aged 20-29 – prioritise lifestyle benefits, such as annual leave, whereas older employees – aged 50-59 – value protection benefits, including income protection and critical illness cover. 

However, many employers fail to offer these protections, highlighting a gap between what employees want from benefits packages, and what is being offered by employers. 

Just 4% of young employees name income protection as an important “perk”, compared to 12% of older employees – yet less than a quarter (24%) of employers offer income protection to their workforce.

“As people move through their lives and careers, it's natural that their priorities change,” said Alistair Dornan, Gallagher's Benefits & HR Consulting Division's Managing Director of UK Benefits. “Early career employees often place greater value on lifestyle led benefits such as holiday trading or gym membership. As responsibilities grow, protection benefits – particularly income protection and critical illness cover – become increasingly important.”