Marc Andreessen Rejects AI Job-Loss Claims, Predicts Employment Boom

Generative AI is widely seen as a technology that could replace white-collar workers, but Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) co-founder Marc Andreessen argues that companies blaming layoffs on AI are often obscuring overhiring during the pandemic. He says productivity gains will lower costs, expand demand and ultimately create more jobs.

Andreessen said on X on April 5, 2026, that the narrative of AI-driven unemployment was “fake” and predicted an employment boom. Citing data, he said U.S. software engineering openings had surpassed 67,000, about twice the 2023 level. Block, however, cut about 4,000 jobs, or 40% of its workforce, on February 26, citing AI-driven efficiency gains, highlighting a gap between aggregate employment data and restructuring at individual companies.