Visa has announced a significant restructuring that will see approximately 7% of its global workforce laid off, affecting around 2,600 jobs. The payments giant is shifting its focus toward artificial intelligence, altering the engineering talent it seeks to hire.
Unlike typical layoffs that target administrative or support roles, Visa’s cuts are concentrated in its core technology and product divisions. Software engineers, platform architects, and digital product teams—those responsible for building and maintaining the company’s core services—are the most impacted.
The move is not purely about cost reduction. CEO Ryan McInerney explained in a memo that AI is accelerating how work is done at Visa, and the company is reallocating funds from traditional software projects to AI development. As AI tools become more capable of writing, testing, and reviewing code, the need for routine coding roles diminishes. Instead, Visa is seeking engineers skilled in building and managing AI-based systems.
AI Skills Are Replacing Routine Coding
The demand for software engineers is evolving. Companies still need engineers, but they now prioritize different competencies. Knowledge of AI tools, prompt engineering, AI integration, and system design is becoming more valuable than basic coding alone. Many routine tasks can now be handled by AI, so engineers who can collaborate with AI are likely to enjoy better career prospects. Experts emphasize that learning AI-related skills is becoming essential for anyone planning to stay in the software industry.
Adapting Will Matter More Than Ever
Visa’s latest layoffs highlight how rapidly the tech job market is changing. Companies are not halting hiring entirely—they are seeking a different set of skills. For software engineers, this serves as a reminder to continuously learn. Those who understand AI and can apply it in real-world projects will be in a stronger position as the industry evolves.