Klarna has 3,000 employees. The CEO says he expects that to be down to less than 2,000 employees by 2030.

Klarna, the well-known payment solutions provider, has seen its workforce shrink significantly, but CEO and co-founder Sebastian Siemiatkowski anticipates further reductions. Speaking on the '20 VC' podcast with Harry Stebbings, Siemiatkowski revealed that the company's employee count, which currently stands at around 3,000, is expected to drop to less than 2,000 by the year 2030. This decline reflects a broader trend, as the company has already reduced its workforce from 7,000 employees in 2022. The CEO explained that the ongoing layoffs and 'natural attrition'—where employees leave without replacements—are key contributors to this reduction. While he acknowledged that Klarna occasionally hires new staff, he emphasized that the overall trend points towards a shrinking workforce. Siemiatkowski also highlighted the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, suggesting that these technologies could be integrated into Klarna's operations without necessitating an increase in headcount. His comments come at a time when the conversation around AI's potential to displace jobs is becoming increasingly urgent. Notably, while some tech leaders, like Elon Musk, express optimism about AI creating prosperity, others, such as Anthropic's CEO Dario Amodei, warn of significant job losses, particularly in entry-level white-collar roles. Siemiatkowski aligns more closely with Amodei's caution, stating, 'I want to be honest about the fact that I do think there's going to be a very big shift.' He expressed a desire to balance optimism with realism, acknowledging the turmoil AI could bring in the near future. Certain sectors within Klarna that rely on 'human connection,' such as partnerships with retailers, are expected to remain intact, as Siemiatkowski believes these roles are vital. However, he indicated that elsewhere within the organization, the workforce will continue to shrink as AI technologies evolve. This trend mirrors broader movements across industries, with companies like IBM, HP, and Salesforce already announcing job cuts due to AI implementation. As Klarna navigates this transformative landscape, the future of work within the company—and the tech industry at large—remains uncertain, with significant changes on the horizon.