Google is undergoing a significant restructuring that involves laying off hundreds of employees from its voice-activated Google Assistant and knowledge and information product teams. The company aims to enhance Google Assistant by integrating newer artificial intelligence (AI) technology into its products. In October, Google revealed its use of the generative AI chatbot Bard to create an updated version of Google Assistant that extends beyond voice, adapts to users, and handles personal tasks differently.
While Google has implemented periodic job cuts in various divisions over the past year, the recent restructuring marks a notable move. The company has not conducted company-wide layoffs since January of the previous year when around 12,000 roles were eliminated. Alphabet, Google’s parent company, reported having over 180,000 employees as of September 2023.
Google Assistant, introduced in 2016 to compete with Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri, has been a part of the first wave of mainstream question-and-answer products powered by AI. However, advancements in large language models, exemplified by OpenAI’s ChatGPT and similar tools, have reshaped the market landscape. Tech giants are now navigating how to effectively integrate these advanced language models into their existing product lines. The recent restructuring indicates Google’s strategic response to stay competitive and innovative in the evolving AI landscape.