By Ettech Last Updated
Copyright indiatimes
Over 200 contractors who worked on evaluating and improving Google’s AI products, including Gemini and AI Overviews, have been laid off, according to a report by Wired.Google’s AI layoffs: The reason behind the cutsThe workers were let go without warning during at least two rounds of layoffs last month. The report suggests the cuts came amid ongoing disputes over pay and working conditions. Workers claim the layoffs were partly aimed at silencing their protests about low wages and job insecurity.In recent years, Google has outsourced much of its AI evaluation work to thousands of contractors hired by GlobalLogic, a company owned by Hitachi, and other outsourcing firms. Known as raters, these contractors review, edit, and improve the Gemini chatbot’s responses to make them sound more natural and “intelligent”.Most GlobalLogic raters are based in the US and work with English-language content. Like social media moderators, they use their skills and judgement to train chatbots and AI tools such as Google’s AI Overviews, helping these systems give accurate answers across many subjects.The Wired report also says that remaining workers worry they may be training AI systems to replace themselves. GlobalLogic appears to be using human raters to teach Google’s AI how to rate responses automatically, potentially making their own roles obsolete.At the same time, the company is making it harder for current staff to stay on. In July, GlobalLogic required workers in Austin, Texas, to return to the office. This decision affected some employees who cannot afford to commute or have disabilities or caregiving duties.Despite performing what they called skilled and important work, many workers say they are underpaid, face poor job security, and endure difficult working conditions. These problems have hurt morale and made it harder for staff to do their jobs well.Google layoffs: Company’s responseHowever, a Google spokesperson told Wired: “These individuals are employees of GlobalLogic or their subcontractors, not Alphabet. As the employers, GlobalLogic and their subcontractors are responsible for the employment and working conditions of their employees. We take our supplier relations seriously and audit the companies we work with against our Supplier Code of Conduct.”This report comes amid other Google job cuts. The company recently cut over a third of its managers who lead small teams. Brian Welle, Google’s vice president of People Analytics and Performance, said Google now has 35% fewer managers as part of efforts to reduce management layers and boost efficiency.Earlier, Google laid off 200 staff from its global business unit, which handles sales and partnerships. In April, hundreds of employees were let go from the platforms & devices unit, responsible for Android, Pixel, and Chrome.Google has also offered ‘buyout’ packages, encouraging staff to leave voluntarily. In June, this option was made available to employees in several departments, including knowledge and information (K&I), central engineering, marketing, research, and communications. Similar buyouts were offered earlier this year following the merger of the Android and Pixel teams.
