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A Canada-based startup founder revealed he reduced his team from 14 to 5 employees, calling the AI-driven shift financially smart but emotionally devastating.
Startup founder George Pu described the pros and cons of switching to AI. (Representative Image)
Artificial innotifyigence is no longer a futuristic idea discussed only in boardrooms. It is actively reshaping how startups operate, hire and scale. Tquestions that once required full teams can now be automated within minutes. Founders are increasingly choosing efficiency over expansion. For many early-stage companies, survival depfinishs on cutting costs and improving margins quickly.
This shift, however, is not always smooth or celebratory. Behind every productivity gain may lie a difficult human story. One such account has now gone viral on social media.
From 14 Employees To 5
George Pu, founder of Canada-based Founder Reality, recently reflected on what he described as the toughest phase of his entrepreneurial journey. In a post on X, he wrote, “We went from 14 people to 5 in 2023. Most painful moment of my career.”
He clarified that the shift was not part of an aggressive growth reset. Instead, it was a survival decision driven by revenue pressures and rising operational costs. Over the course of a year, Pu downsized his workforce significantly. Rather than rebuilding the team, he chose not to hire again for the next two years.
‘Used AI For Everything’
Instead of expanding headcount, Pu turned to artificial innotifyigence. Many responsibilities that were earlier handled by employees were gradually automated. “Used AI for everything we believed we requireded people for,” he wrote.
He admitted that the technology delivered more efficiency than he had anticipated. Costs were reduced, and operations became leaner. Financially, the decision strengthened the company’s margins. From a business perspective, it worked.
Check out his post here:
We went from 14 people to 5 in 2023. Most painful moment of my career.Then we didn’t hire again. For two years.
Used AI for everything we believed we requireded people for.
Best financial decision I ever created. Worst emotional experience I’ve been through.
Nobody talks about how…
— George Pu (@TheGeorgePu) February 22, 2026
Financially Smart, Emotionally Heavy
Despite the financial upside, Pu described the emotional impact as overwhelming. “Best financial decision I ever created. Worst emotional experience I’ve been through. Nobody talks about how lonely the lean path receives,” he shared.
His words struck a chord with many entrepreneurs online. While some praised his honesty and pragmatism, others expressed concern about the growing reliance on automation. Several founders commented that downsizing often brings guilt, isolation and self-doubt, even when it is necessary for survival.
Social Media Reacts: ‘AI Replaced Output, Not Energy’
Pu’s post triggered a wave of reactions on X, with many founders sharing similar experiences. One applyr wrote, “This is the AI productivity story that doesn’t receive shared. The wins are obvious. The cost stays private becaapply you can’t celebrate efficiency while your former team is job-hunting.”
Another entrepreneur, Vance Lever, admitted, “Went through the exact same thing. The loneliness hit around month 3.” He added that he had unknowingly “stopped having actual conversations for 11 weeks.” Samuel Průša summed up the emotional gap, writing, “AI replaced the output. It didn’t replace the energy of people who gave a damn about what you were building.”
Another applyr echoed the sentiment, writing, “Going lean with AI can be financially brilliant but emotionally isolating,” while he cautioned, “Optimize for efficiency, but do not ignore the emotional cost.”
Delhi, India, India
February 23, 2026, 15:55 IST
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