Cybersecurity firm Deepwatch is laying off dozens, citing a move to “accelerate” investment in artificial intelligence

Deepwatch, a cybersecurity company that makes an AI-powered detection and response platform, laid off dozens of employees on Wednesday, citing artificial intelligence as one of the reasons.

Deepwatch CEO John DiLullo told TechCrunch in an email that the company is “aligning our organization to accelerate our significant investments in AI and automation.”

One current Deepwatch employee, who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the press, told TechCrunch that the layoffs affected between 60 and 80 employees, out of a workforce of about 250 employees. A Posted on LinkedIn By someone who said they were laid off 80 people were also mentioned.

“They’re doing something with AI and proxy AI, but that sounds like bullshit,” the current employee told TechCrunch.

Eight former Deepwatch employees have announced they have been laid off, according to LinkedIn posts seen by TechCrunch.

Deepwatch isn’t the only cybersecurity company to lay off workers this year. In May, the cybersecurity giant Crowdstrike has laid off about 500 workersOr 5% of its workforce. The cuts came despite a record year with “operating cash flow of $1.38 billion and record full-year free cash flow of $1.07 billion,” according to a press release at the time.

Other cybersecurity companies Which reduced their workforce this year are Deep Instinct, Otorio, ActiveFence, and SkyBox Security, And Sophos.