Uber Cuts 23% of People and Places Team; AI Not a Factor

Uber is cutting 23% of jobs in its People and Places division, announced this week. The reduction affects fewer than 1% of the company’s roughly 34,000 global employees, with many of the impacted roles at senior levels.

The unit oversees human resources, recruitment, workplace facilities and corporate culture. The reorganization was outlined by Jill Hazelbaker, who was promoted last month to president and chief corporate affairs officer and now leads the expanded People and Places group.

In a memo to affected teams Hazelbaker wrote that the company aims to create “a more connected, modern, operationally excellent organization.” She added that growth had left parts of the unit “too complex and fragmented, with overlapping responsibilities, unclear ownership, and teams operating too far from the businesses and partners they support.”

Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi told company leaders the adjustments are “necessary to maximize the effectiveness of the People team and the enormous potential ahead of us.” Managers and affected employees were informed through internal communications this week.

The company confirmed that roughly 10 million drivers who use Uber as independent contractors are not included in the affected headcount. Uber did not provide a precise number of roles cut but said the 23% reduction applies only to the People and Places division.

Uber stated artificial intelligence was not a factor in the decision. The company said it will slow hiring and increase use of internal AI tools while continuing to recruit for more than 800 open roles, including positions focused on commercializing robotaxis.