- Google laid off over 1,000 across hardware, Assistant, Fitbit teams Wednesday.
- Cuts come amid ongoing workforce streamlining a year after 12,000 roles eliminated.
- Analysts expect cost controls to persist in 2023 amid economic uncertainty.
Google laid off over 1,000 employees on Wednesday, spanning multiple divisions, including engineering, services, Google Assistant, Pixel and Nest hardware teams, and Fitbit. The company framed it as “organizational changes” to align resources with top priorities.
“Needless” cuts?
The Alphabet Workers Union criticized the “needless” cuts as Google continues raking in billions. Reports also indicate Google will consolidate hardware engineering into one core team rather than separate ones.
Additionally, Fitbit co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman are leaving Google amidst the restructuring.
Google acquired Fitbit for $2.1 billion in 2021 and has since integrated the wearable company’s products into its hardware lineup.
Cuts also affected the Google Assistant group as it looks to expand the AI-powered virtual assistant “beyond voice” into Gmail, Drive, and more.
12,000 jobs cut in a year
The latest layoffs come a year after Google eliminated around 12,000 roles, showing ongoing workforce streamlining.
Analysts expect cost-control measures to continue at the tech titan through 2023 as economic uncertainty persists.
