In keeping with the computer industry’s tendency to cut labor costs, Google has started making large layoffs in several departments, such as the Voice Assistant, hardware, technology, and advertising sales teams. The layoffs have impacted numerous augmented reality (AR) team members, hardware teams in charge of Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit products, and dozens of Voice Assistant staff members. This action is a component of Google’s larger initiative to rationalize processes and allocate resources in line with its top product objectives.
The Verge claims that the entire count is in the thousands. This happened after Alphabet Inc., the company that owns Google, announced record profits towards the end of January. In Q4, the corporation declared net profits of $20.4 billion.
There has been a decrease in the ad sales staff, with a focus on the Large Customer Sales (LCS) unit, which is in charge of selling ads to big organizations. The reorganization indicates a strategic change in Google’s strategy for ad sales as it attempts to concentrate more on the Google Customer Solutions (GCS) team, which works with smaller company clients.
In addition to raising concerns regarding job security, the layoffs have caused great anxiety among Google employees regarding the morality of their work, particularly given the company’s continued heavy investment in the advancement of AI technology. Anxiety over layoffs is being compounded by a rising fear that the drive toward automation and AI may eventually result in additional job replacements.
A recently released letter states that Google’s top priority for 2024 would be artificial intelligence (AI). Google CEO Sundar Pichai’s complete list of objectives for 2024 is as follows:
1. Provide the most sophisticated, secure, and accountable Al
2. Boost learning, understanding, inventiveness, and output
3. Create the most useful hardware and operating systems for personal computers.
4. Allow developers and organizations to use Google Cloud for innovation.
5. Offer the most reliable products and platforms globally.
6. Create an amazing Google for both the global community and Google employees.
7. Boost business productivity, effectiveness, and speed while generating long-term cost savings.