A controversial Australian tech CEO has made headlines after laying off employees and replacing them with artificial intelligence—only to then suggest Australians should eat insects to fight climate change.
The executive, whose company specialises in AI-driven automation, reportedly told staff their roles were no longer necessary due to advancements in machine learning. The move has drawn criticism from workers' rights advocates, who argue that such decisions prioritise profits over people.
From AI Takeover to Bug Diets
In a surprising twist, the same CEO later appeared in an interview advocating for Australians to adopt insect-based diets as a sustainable alternative to traditional livestock farming. "We need to embrace radical solutions," he was quoted as saying. "Lab-grown meat and edible insects are the future if we want to reduce carbon emissions."
Public Backlash
The comments have ignited fierce debate online, with critics accusing the CEO of hypocrisy. "First he replaces humans with robots, then tells the rest of us to eat crickets," one social media user wrote. Others questioned the ethics of pushing dietary changes while eliminating jobs through automation.
Nutritionists remain divided on the benefits of insect protein, though some acknowledge its lower environmental footprint compared to beef and poultry. Meanwhile, AI experts warn that unchecked automation could lead to widespread job displacement across multiple industries.
