Google slashes hundreds of jobs in its core Android and Chrome division while continuing to invest heavily in artificial intelligence technologies.

At a Glance

• Google has laid off hundreds of employees in its platforms and devices unit, affecting teams working on Android, Chrome, Google Photos, and hardware products
• The job cuts follow a voluntary exit program offered to employees in January 2025
• The layoffs are part of Google’s strategy to operate more efficiently amid shifting priorities toward AI development
• Google’s parent company Alphabet still employs approximately 180,000 people globally
• This restructuring follows a larger trend of workforce reductions across the tech industry

Strategic Restructuring at Google

Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has implemented another round of job cuts, this time targeting its platforms and devices division. The division, responsible for developing products like Android software, Chrome browser, Pixel smartphones, and other hardware including Fitbit and Nest devices, has seen hundreds of positions eliminated. This restructuring comes after the merger of the Android software and Chrome browser division with the gadgets unit in April 2024, creating a team that had more than 20,000 employees as of January this year.

According to company statements, the layoffs represent a calculated move to streamline operations and increase efficiency. A Google spokesperson confirmed the company’s rationale behind the decision: “Since combining the Platforms and Devices teams last year, we’ve focused on becoming more nimble and operating more effectively and this included making some job reductions in addition to the voluntary exit program that we offered in January.” The company maintains that despite these cuts, it continues to hire for positions both in the United States and globally.

Google Offers Buyout Program Amid AI Shift, Cost Cuts, And Monopoly Accusations @forbes

Google is offering a voluntary buyout program to its U.S.-based employees within the "Platforms and Devices" unit.

The division includes over 25,000 full-time staff working on products like… pic.twitter.com/gND9JwuFSD

— Jack Kelly (@jackjaykelly) February 2, 2025

Employee Concerns and Voluntary Exits

Prior to implementing the layoffs, Google had offered a voluntary exit program to employees in its platforms and devices team in January. This buyout or severance package gave staff the option to resign voluntarily, though the company has not disclosed how many employees accepted this offer. The uncertainty surrounding job security led to more than 1,400 employees signing a petition demanding greater job security and improved buyout terms, highlighting growing concerns among the workforce about stability within the tech giant.

These recent staffing adjustments follow a more significant reduction in January 2023, when Google cut approximately 12,000 positions, representing about 6% of its global workforce at that time. Despite these reductions, Google still maintains a substantial workforce of around 180,000 employees worldwide as of December. The exact number of employees affected by the most recent layoffs remains undisclosed, adding to the uncertainty experienced by workers in the division.

Broader Industry Trends and AI Focus

Google’s workforce reductions mirror a broader pattern across the technology sector. Other major tech companies, including Meta (formerly Facebook), have similarly reduced their staff, with Meta reportedly cutting 5% of its workforce, specifically targeting employees identified as “low performers.” These industry-wide adjustments suggest a recalibration happening across Silicon Valley as companies adjust to changing economic conditions and shifting strategic priorities in the competitive tech landscape.

Alphabet’s Chief Financial Officer, Anat Ashkenazi, had previously indicated last October that the company was exploring additional cost-cutting opportunities. The recent restructuring aligns with Google’s increased focus on developing advanced artificial intelligence technologies, which appears to be taking precedence over some of its traditional product lines. This strategic pivot toward AI development comes as the company faces growing competition in the AI space from rivals like Microsoft and numerous well-funded startups.

While trimming its workforce in established divisions, Google continues to direct significant resources toward its AI initiatives, signaling where the company sees its future growth opportunities. For American tech workers, these shifts highlight the volatile nature of employment in the industry, even at established giants like Google, as companies constantly realign their resources to maintain competitive advantages in rapidly evolving markets.