Google is gearing up for additional job cuts in the coming months, as CEO Sundar Pichai aims to streamline operations by removing layers in various departments. Pichai clarified that these upcoming role eliminations will not be as extensive as the previous year’s cuts and will not impact every team. The recent layoffs come on the heels of reductions in Google’s Voice Assistant and hardware departments, affecting teams such as Google Nest, Pixel, Fitbit, ad sales, and augmented reality.
In January 2023, Alphabet, Google’s parent company, revealed plans to cut 6% of its global workforce, totaling 12,000 jobs. As of September 2023, the company’s global workforce stood at 182,381. Described as essential for the company’s restructuring, these layoffs set the stage for ongoing efforts to streamline operations.
Across the broader tech industry, Google and Amazon have initiated a series of layoffs in January 2024, totaling over 7,500 employees, as reported by the Layoffs.FYI tracking website. This trend is linked to continued investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and cost-cutting measures. Amazon, a key player in AI development, recently laid off several hundred employees in its streaming and studio operations, impacting platforms like Twitch and Audible.
Both Google and Amazon are heavily investing in AI to boost efficiency and structure within their organizations, putting them in direct competition with Microsoft in the field of artificial intelligence. The current wave of job cuts reflects the evolving landscape of the tech industry, where companies are adapting to advancements in AI technology.
