Woodside Energy layoffs and AI

Woodside chief executive and managing director Liz Westcott, Capital Markets Day 2026 (transcript filed with the ASX, 5 November 2026): "We are accelerating the deployment of AI and other digital technologies. At the same time, we are simplifying workflows, reducing duplication and optimising processes across our global business. We expect the program to deliver a reduction in our global workforce by more than 500 positions over time." In answer to an analyst on the cost target: "We can see that we've got duplication in roles, duplication in effort, and we can see opportunities to increase productivity, often through the deployment of technology. It doesn't need to be AI in some cases, but yes, AI as well." The day's presentation (slide 31, 'Cost out target raised') lists among its delivery pathways "AI-enabled maintenance planning" and "500+ global workforce reduction".

Woodside Energy said at its Capital Markets Day, which began on November 4, 2026 (November 5 in Australia), that a cost programme raised to US$400 million a year of structural savings from 2028 would cut its global workforce by more than 500 positions over time, more than a tenth of the roughly 4,700 employees it had at the end of 2025, about four in five of them in Australia. Chief executive Liz Westcott said the company is accelerating the deployment of AI and other digital technologies while simplifying workflows, reducing duplication and optimising processes, and that the programme would bring the workforce reduction; asked about the target, she said duplicated roles and effort would be met partly by raising productivity through technology, 'AI as well', and the programme's slide lists AI-enabled maintenance planning beside portfolio sales, supply chain and contracting savings, so AI is one of several reasons (Mixed). Because the employer names AI among the means of the programme and put the figure on the record itself, about 500 is counted. Woodside has not said which roles or countries the cuts fall in, how it will make them, or how many of the positions are filled.

Roles the sources name:

Not specified (Woodside would not say where the cuts fall, per 7NEWS)

Share of the workforce:

more than 10% (more than 500 of the approximately 4,693 employees at 31 December 2025 in Woodside's 2025 annual report; the press says about 10%)

Where:

Australia (global workforce)