Software maker WiseTech to cut 30% of workforce in AI shift

Published Wed, Feb 25, 2026 · 09:02 AM

[SYDNEY] WiseTech Global plans to cut about 2,000 jobs, almost 30 per cent of the workforce, under an AI-driven revamp, crystallising efficiencies from artificial intelligence (AI) that are upending the global software industry.  

“I am prepared to say this clearly: the era of manually writing code as the core act of engineering is over,” chief executive officer Zubin Appoo said. AI is enabling “significantly more automation” and “unlocking levels of efficiency gains across WiseTech that were previously out of reach”.

The cuts to a workforce of around 7,000 are the largest in Australia attributable to AI, which is displacing humans at companies, including Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

WiseTech shares jumped as much as 11 per cent in early Sydney trading on Wednesday (Feb 25). Before today’s rebound, the stock had slumped 37 per cent this year, hammered by concerns that AI will make the company’s freight-software redundant.

Appoo countered those fears on Wednesday, saying AI was allowing WiseTech to offer more value and to embed its products deeper into customers’ operations. The job cuts will be made this fiscal year and next.

WiseTech creates software that helps companies from shippers to logistics firms plan and manage the flow of goods around the world, from tracking containers to dealing with customs.

Under what WiseTech calls a “deep AI transformation”, workers in product and development, and customer service, will be the first to go, including at the newly bought E2open business.

In some cases, team sizes will be halved, and other roles will be targeted next year, the company said. WiseTech bought US-based E2open last year in its biggest-ever acquisition.

Underlying net profit climbed 2 per cent to A$114.5 million (S$103 million) in the six months ended Dec 31. Total revenue was up 76 per cent to A$672 million, including a five-month contribution from E2open. On an organic basis, sales grew 7 per cent.

Before the so-called AI scare trade smashed WiseTech, the company had also endured a tumultuous period of allegations, first raised in late 2024, about the conduct of then-CEO and founder Richard White.

Appoo was named CEO in July last year, partly to address investors’ governance concerns. White is now WiseTech’s chairman. BLOOMBERG