In a major shakeup, Google is laying off across various divisions, affecting hundreds of employees. Notably, teams working on Google Assistant and hardware devices like Nest and Fitbit are among those hit.
Why the Layoffs? Google cites a move toward artificial intelligence (AI) as a key reason for the Google Assistant layoffs. The company is gearing up to integrate its latest AI models more deeply into its products.
Who’s Affected?
- Google Assistant Team: Employees working on the popular voice-activated software.
- Hardware Division: Impacting the production of devices like Nest, Pixel, and Fitbit.
- Core Engineering Team: The heart of Google’s technical operations.
Response from Alphabet Workers Union
Google said it was “responsibly investing” in its biggest priorities. In a post on X, the Alphabet Workers Union said the job cuts were not necessary, and it would fight them.
“Our members and teammates work hard every day to build great products for our users, and the company cannot continue to fire our coworkers while making billions every quarter,” it wrote.
“Throughout the second half of 2023, a number of our teams made changes to become more efficient and work better, and to align their resources to their biggest product priorities,” the tech giant told the BBC in a statement.
Some teams are continuing to make these kinds of organizational changes, which include some role eliminations globally. We’re continuing to support any impacted employees as they look for new roles here at Google and beyond.”
Alphabet Workers Union
This move reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, where AI is starting to replace jobs, even within the companies pioneering its development.
What’s Happening Elsewhere? Amazon recently announced layoffs in its film and television arm, including at Twitch, the live-streaming platform. These layoffs follow previous job cuts in the tech industry post-pandemic. Interestingly, tech companies are now emphasizing in-office work after promoting remote work during the pandemic.
Google’s Response: The company is actively trying to find new roles for affected employees, framing these changes as a responsible investment in its key priorities and future opportunities. Fitbit co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman are reported to be departing Google as part of this week’s changes.
This restructuring was first reported by Semafor and 9to5 Google.
