DeepL, a Cologne-based German startup founded in 2017, has announced plans to lay off approximately 25% of its workforce, which translates to about 250 employees. CEO Jarek Kutylowski explained that this decision is driven by a 'massive structural shift' towards artificial intelligence, requiring the company to adapt its operations. With slightly over 1,000 employees, the layoffs aim to create a more agile organization that can make quicker decisions and reduce inefficiencies. The tech industry is seeing a rise in job cuts as companies like Meta Platforms Inc. and Microsoft Corp. also announce workforce reductions in response to AI advancements. DeepL, which raised $300 million at a valuation of $2 billion in 2024, competes with Google Translate and newer AI translation services, including those offered by ChatGPT. The company is also considering an initial public offering in the US.