Tailwind laid off 75% of engineers and blamed AI. The real story is worse.

The mass layoffs at Tailwind, where 75% of its engineering team was fired, highlight a deeper issue beyond just AI's impact on jobs. Tailwind's CEO, Adam Wathan, cited AI's influence as a reason, but the core problem lies in the company's unsustainable business model, which has been free and reliant on user growth without a clear revenue stream. This situation is alarming because it suggests that free tools, without a viable monetization strategy, may be more vulnerable to collapse than previously understood. It’s a cautionary tale for other companies relying on similar models.