The layoffs have sparked criticism, with the Alphabet Workers Union expressing frustration at the company's decision to cut jobs while making billions in profits. The company has also been criticized for its decision to restructure its ad sales team, with critics arguing that the move could make human supervision unnecessary and lead to further job losses. The departure of Fitbit's leaders has also raised questions about the future of the brand within Google.
Key takeaways:
- Google has announced layoffs across several divisions including AR hardware, Google Assistant, and core engineering, despite having a profitable year.
- The company is restructuring to focus more on AI development, with hundreds of Google Assistant division layoffs reported by Semafor.
- Fitbit co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman, along with other leaders, have left Google, raising questions about the future of the brand.
- Google's shift towards AI and machine learning could render some jobs expendable, as the company plans to restructure its 30,000 ad sales team to rely more on these technologies.