tech
Does your CEO have AI psychosis? Aaron Levie thinks most of them do.
Equity breaks down rising AI layoffs, the AI agents reshaping hiring, and why Box CEO Aaron Levie thinks Silicon Valley may be suffering from “AI psychosis.” Plus, Waymo's new robotaxi and the week's biggest startup deals.
TL;DR
- Box founder Aaron Levie believes AI decision-makers often lack understanding of the jobs they aim to replace.
- Tech layoffs in 2026 are accelerating, with ClickUp notably reducing its workforce by 22% for AI agents.
- DuckDuckGo is experiencing an increase in installations as users seek alternatives to Google's AI-integrated search.
- The TechCrunch Equity podcast discusses the tension between AI enthusiasm and skepticism, Waymo's new robotaxi, and notable startup deals.
- Key deals mentioned include Snowflake's $6 billion agreement with AWS, Stord's $250 million raise at a $3 billion valuation, and OpenRouter's $113 million raise.
- The impact of AI agents on hiring practices is reshaping the job market beyond just headcount reductions.