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What ClickUp’s mass layoff tells us about the future of work

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AI’s biggest champions have argued for some time that the technology will usher in an era of unprecedented productivity gains, richly rewarding workers who harness it while displacing those who don’t.

Zeb Evans, CEO of the collaboration software startup ClickUp, claims that this shift is imminent. Last Thursday, Evans announced on X that the company, which was last valued in 2021 at $4 billion, had laid off 22% of its workforce yet characterized that reduction as not a cost-cutting measure, but rather a radical embrace of AI that will propel the company to the next level.

“Most savings from this change will flow directly back into the people who stay. We’ll be introducing million-dollar salary bands. If you create outsized impact using AI, you’ll be paid outside of traditional bands,” Evans wrote.

ClickUp recently introduced roughly 3,000 internal AI agents to handle a wide range of complex tasks on behalf of its employees, according to a Fortune article published several days ago. Instead of performing the work themselves, staff members are now expected to direct these agents and ultimately review the output to ensure it meets the company’s standards.

Evans’s goal, according to his X post, is for AI to turbocharge ClickUp into a “100x org.”  

ClickUp is not alone in its hope that AI agents will provide massive productivity gains.

In fact, according to a recent Gartner survey, about 80% of companies using autonomous tech have cut jobs. However, the study found that workforce reductions aren’t necessarily translating into meaningful financial returns.

While Gartner’s findings suggest some companies use unproven AI as an excuse to downsize, ClickUp maintains it is not one of them.

Evans told TechCrunch via email that the startup is indeed seeing productivity gains from AI agents. Not only is ClickUp measuring those efficiencies internally, but it’s also apparently gearing up to include them in a forthcoming product for its customers.   

“Instead of gamifying token cost, we gamify value created and time saved,” Evans wrote.

In recent months, a growing number of companies have started monitoring employee token consumption, using it as a metric to see who is actually adopting AI tools. But critics argue that “tokenmaxxing”—as this concept is known—is the wrong metric because it simply racks up AI expenses.

“The people that automate their jobs with AI will always have a job,” Evans claimed in his post. But if AI keeps taking over more tasks, ClickUp will eventually need fewer and fewer people, eliminating those who fail to automate their functions well.

Tech circles have long theorized about this scenario.

One extreme example of a high-profile startup using AI automation to the max already exists. Polsia, a one-year-old startup that claims to handle all software operations for solopreneurs, is run by just one person: its founder and CEO, Ben Broca. That efficiency is apparently paying off: Polsia just raised $30 million at a $250 million valuation.

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Super Eagles Win Big! Derby County Star David Ozoh Chooses Nigeria Ahead of International Debut

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Derby County midfielder David Ozoh has reportedly made a major decision regarding his international future, choosing to represent Nigeria at senior level.

Sports247 reports that the 21-year-old midfielder, who previously represented England at youth international level, has committed his allegiance to the Super Eagles and is now awaiting the completion of the necessary documentation before making himself available for Nigeria.

Ozoh is understood to be waiting for his Nigerian passport and final FIFA clearance, which are required before he can receive an official invitation to the senior national team.

His decision represents a significant boost for the Super Eagles, particularly as head coach Éric Sékou Chelle continues to explore new options and build greater depth in midfield.

Chelle has reportedly been monitoring the Derby County midfielder closely, with Ozoh’s energy, physical strength and ability to cover ground making him an attractive option for the national team’s midfield setup.

The former England youth international has emerged as one of the promising young players eligible to represent Nigeria and could provide additional competition for places in the Super Eagles midfield if his international switch is completed.

There is also growing anticipation that Ozoh could be considered for Nigeria’s upcoming international engagements. If his passport and FIFA clearance are secured in time, the midfielder could be in contention for an invitation for the Super Eagles’ proposed international friendly against Russia on October 6.

A successful switch would make Ozoh another talented dual-national player to commit his international future to Nigeria, strengthening the country’s pool of players ahead of future competitions.

For the Super Eagles, securing a young midfielder with experience in the English football system could prove valuable as the team continues its transition and prepares for a demanding international calendar.

Ozoh will now hope that the remaining administrative procedures are completed without delay, paving the way for his potential first senior call-up to Nigeria.

His decision to choose the Super Eagles could ultimately prove to be an important addition to Nigeria’s midfield options in the years ahead.

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‘They’ve no basis’ – Wike tackles APC govs over Rainbow Coalition

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, faulted the Progressives Governors Forum’s stance on the Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State.

Wike said the APC governors stance on the Rainbow Coalition has no basis.

The APC Governors Forum, chaired by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, had warned that the Rainbow Coalition could undermine President Bola Tinubu’s reelection in 2027.

Uzodimma also said the coalition could threaten APC and it’s candidates’ chances in the 2027 elections.

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Reacting, Wike, in an interview with Arise Television’s Politics Today, said: “Now what is the crisis of sponsoring candidates, Soludo is supporting President Tinubu, does it mean he won’t support APGA candidates for the National Assembly elections? Governor Adeleke is supporting the president. Does it mean he won’t support Accord National Assembly candidates.

“Alex Otti is supporting President Tinubu from what he said. Does it mean the Labour Party won’t have National Assembly candidates. You can see the whole thing they’re talking about has no basis.”

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