SUSE layoffs and AI

SUSE chief executive Dirk-Peter van Leeuwen, in an email to staff on 2 November 2026 seen by The Register: "We are announcing a reduction of SUSE’s global workforce of approximately 10 percent" ... "What is clear is that automation and AI are fundamentally shifting how software companies operate. AI capabilities are advancing exponentially, forcing us to radically reimagine our work. We have seen this trend already both inside our sector and in the wider economy. This means that the organizational design and cost base that SUSE is built on today will not carry us forward successfully." ... "Across SUSE, modern tooling is already changing our daily workflows, enabling teams to move faster with less operational overhead and flatter reporting lines. The requirement for some existing roles has greatly diminished. Other roles will evolve over the next few years. This means we are accelerating investments in high priority areas, and deprioritizing others."

SUSE, the German open-source software company owned by the private equity firm EQT, told staff on 2 November 2026 that it will cut about 10% of its global workforce, according to chief executive Dirk-Peter van Leeuwen's email seen by The Register; with about 1,900 staff that is roughly 190 people. He wrote that automation and AI are changing how software companies work, that modern tools have already reduced the need for some existing roles, and that SUSE's organisation and cost base will not carry it forward, while it moves investment into priority areas and away from others. AI is one of several reasons he gives, and the company has published no number or statement of its own, so the roughly 190 is a press estimate and is not counted. Which roles and countries are affected is not known; affected staff were to be told by 4 November.

Roles the sources name:

Not specified

Share of the workforce:

about 10% (the chief executive's email; the 190 is press arithmetic on about 1,900 staff, a base SUSE does not publish)

Where:

Germany (global workforce)