The mass layoffs that rocked the corporate earlier this yr are nonetheless being “labored by way of in some international locations,” Porat mentioned within the electronic mail.
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The modifications are a part of a serious shift at Google, which enacted its first large-scale layoffs in January by firing 12,000 folks, stunning workers who had assumed the corporate was protected from cuts which have rocked the tech {industry} over the previous six months. Even amongst high-paying tech firms, Google turned well-known for its free perks, together with laundry, massages, meals and exercise services. The perks, excessive salaries and recurring inventory grants gave the corporate a fame because the cushiest employer in Silicon Valley. Throughout the pandemic, some Google staff complained that the corporate didn’t ship meals to their properties.
However a sell-off in tech shares and considerations a couple of recession have ended the golden days for tech staff, and Google has joined its opponents in firing hundreds of staff, chopping again on growth initiatives and ending perks that workers lengthy took without any consideration.
“We’re making some sensible modifications to assist us stay accountable stewards of our assets whereas persevering with to supply industry-leading perks, advantages and facilities,” spokesman Chris Pappas mentioned.
The cuts come as Google scrambles to remain apace with Microsoft and a rising roster of well-funded start-ups which are launching new AI merchandise that many within the {industry} say will change the best way folks work together with computer systems and usher in a brand new period of tech competitors and innovation.
“This work is especially very important due to our latest progress, the difficult financial surroundings, and our unbelievable funding alternatives to drive expertise ahead — significantly in AI,” Porat mentioned. Google can also be transferring groups to give attention to “increased precedence work,” preserving the tempo of recent hiring decrease than in previous years and chopping down spending on software program instruments, gear and consultants, she mentioned.
Google has spent billions on AI over the previous decade, hiring most of the world’s prime researchers, however was caught flat-footed when OpenAI, a a lot smaller agency, started placing out AI instruments like picture turbines and chatbots that spurred a flurry of pleasure from on a regular basis customers, tech staff and Wall Road.
Google continues to be on the middle of the AI race, although, and its huge information facilities full of pc servers give it a bonus in operating the massively energy-intensive pc applications needed to coach cutting-edge AI algorithms. A lot of the corporate’s focus proper now could be on discovering methods to extra effectively use these computer systems to save lots of time and power, Porat mentioned.