We started the new day with Google layoffs 2024 news. Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., recently announced a series of layoffs across several teams, including the Voice Assistant unit, hardware team, central engineering team, and augmented reality (AR) team.
As confirmed by a Google spokesperson, the move is part of the company’s efforts to cut costs and become more efficient. Here’s all we know.
Google layoffs 2024: How many employees will be affected?
Google layoffs 2024 resulted in the elimination of hundreds of roles globally, although it is not specified how many employees will be laid off. The reorganization of some teams comes at a time when companies such as Microsoft and Google are investing in the growing adoption of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology following the success of OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
ChatGPT
Google has previously announced plans to add generative AI capabilities to its virtual assistant, allowing people to perform tasks such as helping plan a trip or keeping track of their emails and then asking follow-up questions.
In January 2023, Alphabet announced plans to lay off 12,000 people, equivalent to 6% of its global workforce. As of September 2023, Alphabet had 182,381 employees worldwide.
In addition to layoffs, Google is also working on partnerships with other companies to develop augmented reality (AR) devices. The company confirmed that it is collaborating with Samsung and Qualcomm Technologies on an AR headset that the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor will power.
The OEM partnership model offers several advantages for Google, including leveraging the expertise and manufacturing resources of established hardware manufacturers to accelerate the development and launch of AR devices.
Google layoffs in 2024 are part of the company’s efforts to cut costs and become more efficient while also investing in the growing adoption of generative AI technology and partnering with other companies to develop AR devices. Despite the layoffs, Google remains a major player in the tech industry, shaping the future of the immersive and spatial XR.
What do the layoffs mean for Google and the tech industry?
The layoffs at Google are a reflection of the company’s efforts to adapt to the changing tech landscape where AI technology is becoming increasingly important. By cutting costs and reorganizing certain teams, Google is able to focus on its biggest product priorities and invest in the future of AI.
With companies like Microsoft and Google betting on the success of productive AI technology, the tech sector as a whole faces similar challenges. The rise of AI is changing how we interact with technology, and companies that adapt to these changes will likely thrive in the future.
Google’s partnership with Samsung and Qualcomm Technologies
Google’s partnership with Samsung and Qualcomm Technologies on an AR headset allows the company to leverage established hardware manufacturers’ expertise and manufacturing resources. This partnership model offers several advantages for Google, such as faster development and launch of AR devices.
The collaboration between Google, Samsung, and Qualcomm Technologies is an exciting development in the world of AR technology and offers the potential for more sophisticated and immersive experiences for users. As the technology industry continues to evolve, partnerships like this will play an important role in shaping the future of spatial XR.
Featured image credit: hisuccc / Unsplash