Vodafone Germany plans 2,300 job cuts as it expands AI use

Vodafone Germany plans to cut or relocate 2,300 jobs over the next two financial years, nearly one in five of its roughly 12,000 positions. The company says it will simplify its structure, expand its use of artificial intelligence and reduce costs.

Vodafone Germany chief executive Marcel de Groot announced the plan to staff on Monday, according to German broadcaster WDR. The company says it aims to find socially acceptable solutions for affected employees.

The restructuring also includes changes to customer service and closer integration between IT and the consumer and business divisions. Vodafone says AI will be used more widely across the business, including to analyse network faults and support customer-service staff.

The company cites pressure from competition and rising costs. It plans to invest in areas including fibre broadband and cloud and security services for business customers, while seeking savings in staffing and other costs.

Vodafone Germany cut about 2,000 jobs over the previous two years, according to a report by ANP carried by Nieuws.nl. The latest announcement concerns a further planned reduction; it does not say that the positions have already been eliminated.