Canva is cutting or relocating more than 1,200 jobs, representing 22% of its global workforce, as part of a major restructure that includes laying off staff who helped build the Australian-founded design platform.

The changes mirror a trend across the technology sector, where software companies are fighting to stay competitive against cheaper artificial intelligence disrupters while aggressively embedding AI tools themselves.

Canva’s chief executive, Melanie Perkins, said in an email to staff on Wednesday that the restructure was “without doubt the hardest moment in our thirteen-year history”.

“For some people, this will mean changes to their roles or being asked to relocate to centralised hubs,” she said.…