MasterClass

Laid off 23% as ChatGPT destroyed homework help business. Stock crashed 98% from peak.

Business model disrupted by AI. Now trying to pivot to AI tutoring. Academic integrity concerns about platform.

MasterClass cut 20% of staff (~120 employees) in June 2022, the third layoff round in eight months. CEO David Rogier cited "the worsening macroeconomic environment." Cuts affected all teams including a chief product officer, two VPs, and two dozen senior roles. The celebrity-instruction company continued restructuring through 2024-2025 with what employees described as "perpetual layoffs."