EA laid off approximately 1,070–1,170 employees across 2024 and 2025 while publicly positioning AI as central to making the company 30% more efficient. The layoffs and AI strategy announcements have overlapped closely in timing, raising questions about the relationship between AI adoption and headcount reductions.

In February 2024, EA announced 670 job cuts (5% of its workforce), with CEO Andrew Wilson promoting generative AI one week later at a Morgan Stanley investor conference. In May 2025, a further 300–400 roles were cut, including approximately 100 at Respawn Entertainment. At the same earnings call, Wilson described AI as "a powerful accelerator." A September 2025 reported acquisition by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) valued at approximately $55 billion added further uncertainty about future workforce changes. EA has not officially attributed any specific layoffs to AI replacement, but the internal ReefGPT mandate occurred concurrently with employees publicly fearing that AI tools were being used to justify cuts.