Klarna’s CEO Says AI Is Capable Of Doing His Job – And It Makes Him Feel ‘Gloomy’

Klarna CEO and cofounder Sebastian Siemiatkowski is not pleased with AI’s rapid development, fearing it could even make his job redundant. In a recent X (formerly Twitter) post, Siemiatkowski said that AI’s reasoning capabilities now allow it to do things that humans used to do, including his job.

He admitted not being excited about this. He said “My work is a super important part of who I am, and I don’t want it to become unnecessary, on the contrary, “Siemiatkowski says AI can handle simple problems with basic reasoning and can break down complex problems into smaller tasks. This foundational capability implies that AI could eventually take on sophisticated responsibilities, but the exact way to integrate these pieces is still not clear.

Siemiatkowski has been outspoken about how AI could disrupt employment. In December, he told Bloomberg that most human jobs could already be done by AI. AI has been embraced by Klarna itself. In February, a Swedish fintech firm revealed that its AI assistant was doing work equivalent to 700 full-time employees.

AI has had a huge impact on the company’s workforce. Klarna has been able to cut overall staff numbers thanks to AI, Siemiatkowski posted on X in August. In October, he explained on the ‘Grit’ podcast that the company had stopped hiring for most jobs because of AI, relying on natural attrition to shrink its workforce by 20 percent a year. However, Klarna still hires engineers selectively.

The company has also taken stricter internal measures as it gears up for a U.S. IPO. It announced random drug testing for its Swedish staff in December, a move its HR director said was part of broader security enhancements. Siemiatkowski’s reflections underline a broader societal challenge: balancing the efficiencies of AI with its impact on human work and identity.