Focusing on AI, Google Lays Off Hundreds of Employees
Illustration. Google terminated or laid off hundreds of employees. (istockphoto/coldsnowstorm)
-- Google laid off hundreds of employees working on several popular products, including Google Assistant.
A Google spokesperson said the layoffs of Google Assistant employees were driven by a shift in focus towards artificial intelligence (AI). Google is indeed integrating the company's latest AI model into its products more massively.
Apart from Google Assistant, layoffs also occurred in other divisions or products such as Google Nest, Pixel and Fitbit.
"Google's core engineering team is also impacted by this change," Google said, according to CNN.
Previously it was also reported that several Fitbit founders, James Park and Eric Friedman, were stepping down as part of these planned changes.
However, Google is working to find other roles for some of the affected employees amid the ongoing restructuring.
"We invest responsibly in the company's biggest priorities and significant opportunities for the future," Google said.
This decision comes following Amazon's announcement that it is also laying off several of its divisions, such as Twitch most recently.
The wave of layoffs following the Covid-19 pandemic has indeed hit the technology industry and the economy.
Fokus pada AI, Google PHK Ratusan Karyawan
Ilustrasi. Google melakukan pemutusan kerja atau PHK terhadap ratusan karyawan. (istockphoto/coldsnowstorm)
-- Google melakukan pemutusan kerja atau PHK terhadap ratusan karyawan yang bekerja di beberapa produk populer, termasuk Google Assistant.
Juru Bicara Google mengatakan, PHK karyawan Google Assistant didorong oleh pergeseran fokus ke arah kecerdasan buatan (AI). Google memang tengah mengintegrasikan model AI terbaru perusahaan ke dalam produk-produknya dengan lebih masif.
Selain di Google Assistant, pemutusan kerja juga terjadi pada divisi atau produk lain seperti Google Nest, Pixel, dan Fitbit.
"Tim teknik inti Google juga terkena dampak perubahan ini," ujar Google, melansir CNN.
Sebelumnya juga dilaporkan beberapa pendiri Fitbit, James Park dan Eric Friedman, mengundurkan diri sebagai bagian dari perubahan yang direncanakan ini.
Namun, Google sedang berupaya mencari peran lain untuk beberapa karyawan yang terkena dampak di tengah restrukturisasi yang terjadi.
"Kami berinvestasi secara bertanggung jawab pada prioritas terbesar perusahaan dan peluang signifikan di masa depan," ujar Google.
Keputusan ini datang menyusul pengumuman Amazon yang juga melakukan PHK pada beberapa divisinya, seperti Twitch yang teranyar.
Gelombang PHK pasca-pandemi Covid-19 memang melanda industri teknologi dan perekonomian.