DeepL Cuts 25% of Workforce in Shift to AI-Native Company

German AI translation company DeepL has challenged Google Translate with neural-network translation services since its founding in 2017 and has expanded into enterprise language tools. As generative AI rapidly reshapes software development and knowledge-work workflows, DeepL’s restructuring offers a prominent example of how AI companies are reallocating their workforces.

DeepL announced in July 2026 that it would cut about 25% of its workforce, affecting roughly 250 people and implying a pre-restructuring headcount of about 1,000. The company has not disclosed the cost of severance or restructuring. Chief Executive Jarek Kutylowski said the organization would become flatter, with AI handling routine tasks while employees focus on creativity, judgment and decision-making.