Block Lays Off Data Analyst Citing AI

Ivan Ureña-Valdes, a former Block data analyst, says he was laid off this week amid the company's cuts of more than 4,000 employees. He reports AI tools—citing Anthropic's Opus 4.5—had automated routine data-analyst tasks and says leadership attributed the reductions to AI; he received severance and benefits. The account highlights AI-driven workforce changes and immediate effects on employee roles.