Australia’s leading logistics software firm WiseTech Global revealed plans to eliminate approximately 2,000 jobs—nearly a third of its 7,000 global workforce—across 40 countries as part of a major two-year AI-driven restructuring announced February 24, 2026.
Strategic AI Overhaul Targets Key Teams
The initiative kicks off in H2 FY26, focusing first on product development, customer service, and the recently acquired e2open division, with potential 50% reductions in affected areas. CEO Zubin Appoo declared “the era of manually writing code as the core act of engineering is over,” positioning AI to automate workflows, amplify logistics expertise, and unlock unprecedented efficiencies.
This builds on robust 1H26 results, reaffirming FY26 guidance amid 76% revenue growth and 28% R&D spend increase to $175M.
Financial Upside and Market Reaction
The transformation aims for a structurally lower cost base, higher-margin recurring revenue, and enhanced scalability in the $11T logistics sector. Shares surged up to 10.7% post-announcement, reflecting investor confidence in AI’s competitive edge over rivals.
Over 500 roles were already cut in FY26, signaling ongoing optimization as AI adoption accelerates at 45%+ CAGR.
CEO’s Bold Vision Amid Industry Shift
Appoo called this “one of the most important inflection points in our 30+ year history,” blending domain data, network effects, and AI for deeper product embedding. The move mirrors global trends, following Amazon’s 16,000 cuts, as automation redefines software roles worldwide.
