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Google plans thousands of layoffs in the advertising and fulfillment sector to refocus on artificial intelligence.
As the new year begins, Google intensifies its focus on advancing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, encompassing not only the development of external applications, but also promoting a significant restructuring of its internal operation. As reported by CNBC, this includes carrying out thousands of layoffs as part of a strategic change in the company.
More than 30 thousand layoffs will give way to artificial intelligence
To support its plans, technology giant Google plans to reorganize much of its ad sales department, leading to more than 30 employee layoffs. It has not yet been announced which countries will make the cuts.
According to data TheInformation, Google's layoffs are part of a strategic movement to increase investments in Artificial Intelligence techniques and machine learning algorithm to help customers buy even more ads on their search engine, YouTube and other services. A tech is able to automatically suggest and create high-performing ads without the need for human workers to perform these tasks.
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A person unfamiliar with the matter revealed that these ads are expected to generate tens of billions of dollars in revenue for the company annually. As highlighted by the media, Google's bets on artificial intelligence go beyond ad sales, also covering customer support services.
According to data, the expectation is that the Integrating AI into customer support directly influences the human aspects of company operations. This strategic shift is in line with Google's previous layoffs at the beginning of last year, which attracted attention and studies.
Google makes billion-dollar investment in Artificial Intelligence
Google carried out 12 thousand employee layoffs about a year ago, 6,4% of the company's workforce. At the time, the company's CEO, Sundar Pichai, stated that the decision was a result of the drastic change in the economic scenario around the world.
The executive stated that the layoffs marked a time for the company to sharpen its focus, restructure its cost base and direct talent and capital to higher priorities, adding that artificial intelligence would be a key area going forward.
About three months ago, the company highlighted that it would make an investment of up to US$2 billion in Anthropic, an artificial intelligence startup, a rival to OpenAI, owner of Chat GPT. According to media data, the agreement provides for an initial contribution of US$500 million and an additional US$1,5 billion to be invested over time.
Google had already injected almost US$400 million into the company months earlier, expanding its efforts to compete with Microsoft, one of OpenAI's main supporters, and intensify the competition for generative artificial intelligence solutions.
Dangers of Artificial Intelligence
Despite holding great promise for the future, there are some risks that AIs can bring. Among them is the violation of privacy, since data from internet users is used to train generative AIs.
Another risk is that algorithms used in AI systems, when trained by humans, spread prejudice and increase inequalities. There is a social and ethical risk that society must be aware of and educated about the impact this can cause.
The lack of transparency in AI systems is another point to be analyzed, since in deep learning models, which can be complex and difficult to interpret, it is a complex issue. This opacity obscures the decision-making processes and underlying logic of these technologies.
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