Thread regarding Cisco Systems Inc. layoffs

Message for TAC engineers and Sales team only

There is an AI assistant called Sherlock that is now handling the majority of customer cases. Instead of working directly with TAC engineers, customers are unknowingly interacting with this virtual assistant for most of their support experience.

TAC engineers have been instructed to “overwatch” — essentially to train and correct the AI model — with the expectation that a significant portion of AMER TAC will be laid off in FY27. After these reductions, customers will primarily be supported by cheap TAC teams in India and Mexico.

What’s most concerning is that TAC engineers have been explicitly told not to disclose any of this to customers. They are being directed to remain silent about how cases are actually being handled, leaving customers with the false impression that human engineers are actively working their issues when, in reality, the AI system is driving the process.

This lack of transparency means customers are being misled about the nature and quality of the support they are receiving.

Note: This should not concern you if you're a premium HTTS customer


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| 22 views | | 10 replies (last April 11) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1knb9c994

10 replies (most recent on top)

We’re all being replaced by AI. My guess is that we’ll get <= 5% layoff to pay for more AI tokens this round.

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Post ID: @19s+1knb9c994

Not true. Sherlock is augmenting at best to get case closures.
mostly however My customers are aware

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Post ID: @13w+1knb9c994

@nq

haha, suddenly customers only create Sev 1 & 2 cases to get to a human

Unintended consequences :)

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Post ID: @s0+1knb9c994

Sequence of the pendulum swing: Liz C will push sherlock too far, it'll irritate customers, some of TAC gets LR'd, customers will get angrier, they won't pay for 'premium' human service, Liz gets replaced, new leader has an epiphany that humans are important, rehires people, Sherlock goes back to simple cases only.

Sadly, there's no other way this can go.

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Post ID: @rz+1knb9c994

@b3 you're a dummy, OP is clearly referring to a new Sherlock campaign called Overwatch. For the last 2-3 years, Sherlock was only for "easy" or "straightforward" cases. Starting Feb 2026, all Severity 3 and 4 cases are now handled by Sherlock regardless of their urgency. I'm a TAC DM

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Post ID: @nq+1knb9c994

No sh-t, Sherlock!

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Post ID: @dx+1knb9c994

You are just winding people up. Sherlock has been around for at least 3 years and CX openly shares it is using it for the vast majority of the simple and uncomplicated cases.

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Post ID: @b3+1knb9c994

Wait till we have humanoids amongst us.

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Post ID: @ax+1knb9c994

Wow, that's just unsavory on so many levels.

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Post ID: @ab+1knb9c994

How is this illegal?

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Post ID: @a9+1knb9c994

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