Google Layoffs: Hundreds of Staff Let Go, Including Google Assistant Team

Introduction

Google has recently made the decision to lay off hundreds of staff members who were working on various devices and services, including their voice-activated assistant, Google Assistant. This move comes as the company faces increased competition from AI upstarts like OpenAI and Perplexity, who are challenging Google's dominance in the search industry.

Layoffs and Departures

The layoffs were announced on Wednesday and were first reported by Semafor and 9to5Google. According to 9to5Google, the co-founders of Fitbit, James Park and Eric Friedman, will also be leaving the search giant. While Google has not disclosed the exact number of jobs cut in this round of layoffs, it is clear that significant changes are happening within the company.

Efficiency and Organizational Changes

A Google spokesperson explained that the company has made these changes to improve efficiency and overall performance. They stated that these organizational changes include some role eliminations globally. However, Google is committed to supporting the affected employees as they seek new opportunities both within the company and elsewhere.

Challenges from AI Upstarts

Google's dominance in the search industry is being challenged by AI upstarts like OpenAI and Perplexity. These companies are hoping to revolutionize search with their advanced chatbot technology. As the competition intensifies, Google is likely making strategic moves to maintain its position as a trailblazer in the digital landscape.

Conclusion

The recent layoffs at Google, particularly within the Google Assistant team, highlight the company's efforts to adapt to an ever-evolving and competitive digital world. While the exact impact of these changes remains to be seen, Google is poised to navigate these challenges and continue to be a top-notch player in the search industry.

Read the original article on Business Insider.

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By: ktan@businessinsider.com (Kwan Wei Kevin Tan)
Title: Google Layoffs: Hundreds of Staff Let Go, Including Google Assistant Team
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/google-axed-hundreds-of-staff-working-on-google-assistant-2024-1
Published Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2024 07:26:19 +0000