Figma Bets on Growth, Not Cuts, Amid AI Revolution

While tech leaders like Amazon’s Andy Jassy and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang warn that AI will soon displace white-collar workers, Figma’s 33-year-old CEO Dylan Field is taking a different approach. Instead of laying off employees, the $28 billion design company is actively expanding its workforce and hiring for 158 open positions across the United States.

AI as a Growth Engine

Speaking on “Lenny’s Podcast” this week, Field emphasized that Figma views artificial intelligence as an opportunity to expand operations, not downsize them. “For the most part, across the company, we’re adding roles,” Field stated while discussing the company’s current headcount planning. Rather than viewing AI as a threat to employment, Figma is leveraging the technology to identify internal efficiencies and build better tools, allowing the company to scale its ambitions and team simultaneously.

Strategic Hiring During AI Boom

The hiring push reflects Figma’s confidence in its market position following its public debut earlier this year. Among the open positions is a software engineer specializing in AI infrastructure, signaling the company’s commitment to developing AI capabilities in-house. Field’s mindset contrasts sharply with industry-wide concerns about AI-driven job losses, suggesting that companies focused on innovation and growth can create new opportunities even as automation advances.

Field’s philosophy highlights an emerging divide in how tech companies respond to AI: some prioritize cost reduction through workforce reductions, while others invest in talent to capitalize on new possibilities. For Figma, the message is clear—AI presents a chance to grow bigger and smarter, not smaller.