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From Day One is a media outlet covering innovative ways organizations build stronger relationships with employees, customers, and communities, with reporting on leadership, employee experience, workplace well-being, brand trust, and AI.

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News BY Ade Akin | October 22, 2026

Recent Job Cuts Show Tech Layoffs Don’t Need an AI Story

Netflix is cutting about 1,000 jobs, roughly 6% of its workforce, in its largest round of layoff in recent years. Co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters announced the Netflix layoffs in an Oct. 14 memo to employees. Variety reported that the cuts hit the product, technology, legal, and HR teams hardest.Netflix’s announcement doesn’t cite AI as a reason for the cuts. Instead, the co-CEOs framed the workforce reduction as a matter of focus. “Our business is strong and growing, and we remain on track to deliver our full year forecast,” Sarandos and Peters wrote. The company needs to be “disciplined about where we prioritize our people and resources,” they added, reports Variety.Netflix’s explanation stands apart from much of this year’s layoff data. Employers have cited AI in 120,136 announced U.S. job cuts through September, about 21% of the total and the most common reason given so far this year, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas data reported by Fast Company.Tech layoffs make up a large share of that total. Technology companies announced 165,925 job cuts through September, up 54% from the same period in 2025, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Older explanations haven’t gone away, though. In September alone, employers most often cited market and economic conditions for cuts, while AI ranked fifth.For HR leaders, these cuts carry a second twist. HR is one of the hardest-hit departments, which can stretch the remaining people tasked with guiding employees through the transition. While many employers point to AI, Netflix’s memo explained the cuts in plain business terms. As more companies cut staff for similar reasons, how clearly and quickly leaders explain those decisions may shape employee trust among the people who stay.Ade Akin covers artificial intelligence, workplace wellness, HR trends, and digital health solutions.(Photo by peterhowell/iStock)

Recent Job Cuts Show Tech Layoffs Don’t Need an AI Story
News BY Ade Akin | October 05, 2026

ChatGPT’s New Ad Format Skips the Website and Goes Straight to the Chat

OpenAI is testing a new advertising format that turns an ad click into a conversation with a brand’s AI agent, rather than sending users to an external website. The format allows advertisers to attach branded business agents directly to ads in ChatGPT. When a user clicks the call-to-action button that reads something like “Chat with us,” they are taken to a branded chat in ChatGPT, where they can interact with the seller’s AI agent, according to Digiday. The move represents OpenAI’s first real attempt at what it calls AI-native advertising: ads designed around how people actually interact with AI assistants, rather than funneling leads from search engines or social media.Wayfair is among the first advertisers testing ChatGPT’s click-to-chat advertisements. Morgan Brown, the company’s director of paid media, told Digiday the retailer is participating in what OpenAI calls its “Sponsored Agent” pilot.The launch of OpenAI’s sponsored agent pilot comes as advertisers are still determining whether ChatGPT’s new advertising model is worth investing in. The consensus among participating advertisers remains that the platform is promising but unproven months after ads first appeared in the chatbot. The development raises a question that From Day One has explored in its coverage of AI in marketing: As brands hand more of the customer conversation to AI agents, what happens to the human touch?For brands considering experimenting with click-to-chat ads, the opportunity is substantial, and the stakes are high. The format promises something current ad models don’t: a conversation that keeps consumers engaged rather than sending them away. Whether that exchange feels authentic or automated will determine if it becomes the next popular ad format or just another experiment that never scales.Ade Akin covers artificial intelligence, workplace wellness, HR trends, and digital health solutions.(Photo by Isasoulart/iStock)

ChatGPT’s New Ad Format Skips the Website and Goes Straight to the Chat

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What attendees say about From Day One conferences

Jordan Baker, Emplify — From Day One attendee

“The panels were phenomenal. The breakout sessions were incredibly insightful. I got the opportunity to speak with countless HR leaders who are dedicated to improving people’s lives. I walked away feeling excited about my own future in the business world, knowing that many of today’s people leaders are striving for a more diverse, engaged, and inclusive workforce.”

– Jordan Baker, Emplify
Desiree Booker, ColorVizion Lab — From Day One attendee

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– Desiree Booker, ColorVizion Lab
Kim Vu, Remitly — From Day One attendee

“Timely and much needed convo about the importance of removing the stigma and providing accessible mental health resources for all employees.”

– Kim Vu, Remitly
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– Florangela Davila, KNKX 88.5 FM
Cory Hewett, Gimme Vending Inc. — From Day One attendee

“De-stigmatizing mental health illnesses, engaging stakeholders, arriving at mutually defined definitions for equity, and preventing burnout—these are important topics that I’m delighted are being discussed at the From Day One conference.”

– Cory Hewett, Gimme Vending Inc.
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– Trisha Stezzi, Significance LLC
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– Chip Maxwell, Emplify
Katy Romero, One Medical — From Day One attendee

“We really enjoyed the event yesterday— such an engaged group of attendees and the content was excellent. I'm feeling great about our decision to partner with FD1 this year.”

– Katy Romero, One Medical
Kayleen Perkins, Seattle Children's — From Day One attendee

“The From Day One Conference in Seattle was filled with people who want to make a positive impact in their company, and build an inclusive culture around diversity and inclusion. Thank you to all the panelists and speakers for sharing their expertise and insights. I'm looking forward to next year's event!”

– Kayleen Perkins, Seattle Children's
Michaela Ayers, Nourish Events — From Day One attendee

“I had the pleasure of attending From Day One. My favorite session, Getting Bias Out of Our Systems, was such a powerful conversation between local thought leaders.”

– Michaela Ayers, Nourish Events
Sarah J. Rodehorst, ePerkz — From Day One attendee

“Inspiring speakers and powerful conversations. Loved meeting so many talented people driving change in their organizations. Thank you From Day One! I look forward to next year’s event!”

– Sarah J. Rodehorst, ePerkz
Angela Prater, Confluence Health — From Day One attendee

“I had the distinct pleasure of attending From Day One Seattle. The Getting Bias Out of Our Systems discussion was inspirational and eye-opening.”

– Angela Prater, Confluence Health
Joel Stupka, SkillCycle — From Day One attendee

“From Day One did an amazing job of providing an exceptional experience for both the attendees and vendors. I mean, we had whale sharks and giant manta rays gracefully swimming by on the other side of the hall from our booth!”

– Joel Stupka, SkillCycle
Alexis Hauk, Emory University — From Day One attendee

“Last week I had the honor of moderating a panel on healthy work environments at the From Day One conference in Atlanta. I was so inspired by what these experts had to say about the timely and important topics of mental health in the workplace and the value of nurturing a culture of psychological safety.”

– Alexis Hauk, Emory University