Google laid off hundreds of employees across multiple divisions on Wednesday to help control costs as it shifts its focus to artificial intelligence. The maker of the world’s largest search engine joins other tech companies also downsizing this year.
Jobs were eliminated from those working on Google’s voice-operated virtual assistant and the hardware division responsible for the Pixel phone, Fitbit watches, and Nest thermostat. Cuts were also made to the company’s core engineering division.
“We’ve had to make some difficult decisions about ongoing employment of some Google employees and we regret to inform you that your position is being eliminated,” the company disclosed to a group of workers in the core engineering division, according to text obtained by The New York Times.
Last year, Silicon Valley experienced a wave of cuts at some of the largest companies, like Meta, Amazon, and even Google itself, which dropped 6% of its staff in January 2023, equivalent to 12,000 employees.
That trend has persisted into 2024 with more cuts. On January 10, Amazon eliminated hundreds of workers from its Twitch streaming platform, Prime Video, and MGM studios. Xerox said it intends to shed 15% of its 23,000 employees, and Unity Software says it will lay off 1,800 roles, or a quarter of its entire workforce.
According to Google, the latest layoffs are part of its normal course of business. However, the Alphabet Workers Union, representing over 1,400 employees at Google’s parent company, Alphabet, said the recent decision was “needless.”
“Tonight, Google began another round of needless layoffs. 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. We won’t stop fighting until our jobs are safe!” the union posted on X.