MOUNTAIN VIEW - Google has announced a new round of layoffs, particularly targeting its augmented reality hardware team and central engineering division. This move is part of the company's strategic shift towards an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partnership model and the integration of its Bard chatbot technology into Google's Voice Assistant.
This announcement comes on the heels of substantial job cuts made last year, which were disclosed by CEO Sundar Pichai in January 2023, impacting approximately 12,000 employees. The Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Workers Union has taken to social networks to voice their criticism of the layoffs, pointing out Google's robust financial performance in spite of the workforce reductions.
The tech giant's decision mirrors a broader trend within the tech industry, where other major players are also downsizing. Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), for instance, has made similar moves by reducing staff in its Prime Video department.
As Google navigates through these changes, the Alphabet Workers Union remains vocal in their opposition, underscoring the tension between corporate restructuring and employee job security in the evolving tech landscape.
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