> Work is freezing hiring and upping spending on tokens for everyone.

Doesn't mean the two are related.

Is AI just the excuse? We've got tariffs, war, uncertainty and other drama non stop.

It's what they're telling us

Of course they are.

Management often has a perverse short-term incentive to make labor feel insecure. It’s a quick way to make people feel insecure and work harder ... for a while.

Also, “AI makes us more productive so we can cut our labor costs” sounds so much better to investors than some variation of “layoffs because we fucked up / business is down / etc”

You should look into the concepts of skepticism, materialism, and cynicism. Maybe don't trust the leadership of where you work, the leadership that sees you as a number and not a human.

The Gervais Principle entirely rewrote how I view workplaces. In fact, the model is fitting even more accurately as society grows more fractious.

Which story sends a more positive signal to shareholders?

"We've frozen hiring because our growth potential is tapped out."

"We've frozen hiring because AI can replace employees."

Do you believe everything management tells you, whether you’re internal or external?

>Is AI just the excuse?

When you're unemployed, it doesn't matter. When executives cargo cult, it doesn't matter.