Canva has refuted recent media reports suggesting potential job losses as it integrates its acquired artificial intelligence platform, Leonardo.AI, into its broader design operations. The Australian reported that Canva’s Chief Operating Officer and co-founder Cliff Obrecht addressed Leonardo’s 150 employees during a video call last week, indicating that the company was undergoing a restructuring process.
During this communication, Obrecht noted that while many members of the Leonardo team would “directly map” to existing AI initiatives within Canva, others might need to explore alternative roles within the organization. However, a Canva spokesperson clarified to Startup Daily that the company is “not exploring any redundancies and no job losses were discussed or communicated to the team.”
The spokesperson also criticized The Australian for not verifying these claims with Canva before publication, stating they had “declined to include our position on the record in their story.” This clarification comes at a time of heightened sensitivity regarding employment in the tech sector as companies increasingly leverage AI technologies. Recently, fintech firm Block announced it would cut 40% of its workforce, equating to 4,000 jobs, while logistics software platform WiseTech Global stated it would eliminate 2,000 coding positions, both citing AI as a factor.
Canva’s integration of Leonardo, which has operated as a standalone business since its acquisition for over $300 million in 2024, is aimed at accelerating its AI capabilities. A spokesperson for Canva explained that a small team will remain focused on Leonardo as an independent product, with the rest of the staff transitioning into new teams across Canva.
The integration reflects a growing trend among technology companies to streamline operations and enhance efficiencies through AI, even as concerns about job security proliferate. As companies like Canva invest heavily in AI, the balance between innovation and workforce stability remains a critical dialogue in the industry.
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