Weekly briefing
Proton tests staff on AI skills as Dropbox cuts 9% of jobs
Proton is re-interviewing staff on how they use AI, Dropbox is cutting about 9% of jobs, and the EU’s new company form is stuck on workers’ rights.
Published
- AI
Proton re-interviews staff on how well they use AI
Proton, the Swiss company behind Proton Mail, is re-interviewing some staff about how they use AI at work, according to reporting by 404 Media. The results feed into a wider review that may change roles and decide who stays. Proton says it is not cutting jobs and is still hiring, and its technology chief says AI wrote 90% of its code in October.
What it means for hiringUsing AI well is turning into a condition of keeping a tech job, not a nice extra. Expect more companies to test it in interviews, and candidates to be asked for real examples of how AI speeds up their work.
- Hiring market
Dropbox cuts about 9% of its staff as its tech chief leaves
Dropbox is cutting about 9% of its staff worldwide to focus on its top products. It expects the cuts to cost around $30 million, mostly in severance pay. Its chief technology officer is also stepping down on 18 November.
What it means for hiringMature software companies are still trimming teams, and losing a technology chief in the same week adds to the uncertainty. That usually means good engineers start taking calls from funded startups.
- Regulation
The EU’s single company form for startups stalls over workers’ rights
EU Inc is the EU’s plan for one digital company form that a startup could use across all member states. The sticking point is whose workers’ rights apply when a company registers in one country but employs people in another. EU governments agreed their position on 23 October, and the European Parliament has a committee vote set for 5 November.
What it means for hiringIf EU Inc passes, hiring across European countries from one company should get much simpler. How it treats staff abroad will decide whether founders actually use it.
- Funding
Guidewire buys UK insurance AI company Hyperexponential for $1.7bn
US insurance software company Guidewire is buying Hyperexponential, a UK company whose AI helps insurers price and approve policies. It is paying $1.7 billion in cash, with up to $400 million more if sales targets are met. The deal should close next year.
What it means for hiringA big cash exit for a European AI company that raised under $100 million is the kind of result that pulls more engineers towards startups. Insurers buying AI will also need more people who understand both the data and the business.
- Data & engineering
Databricks and SAP make it easier to use business data for AI
Databricks and SAP widened their partnership at SAP’s conference in Berlin. The aim is to let companies use the data in their SAP systems for AI without building their own connections first. No release dates were given.
What it means for hiringMost large companies keep their key data in SAP. Data engineers who know both SAP and modern AI tools will be in demand as those companies try to put that data to work.
Hiring in AI, data or engineering?
Tell us who you need.
Post the role in two minutes, or book a call to talk it through. We respond within one business day.
Talk to Tino, Sophia or Anna. We respond within one business day.