Google Slashes Programming Teams, Turning To AI and Sending Jobs Overseas

Google has conducted another round of layoffs, this time affecting skilled staff members from its key programming language teams including Flutter, Dart, and Python — just weeks before its annual I/O developer conference scheduled for later this month.  

According to a report published by Tech Crunch, the decision — part of a broader initiative to streamline operations and prioritize key projects — has raised concerns about the future of work in the tech industry.  

The industry had been known for great benefits and job security, in addition to Google being one of the highly sought after FAANG (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google) companies for software engineers. Not anymore. 

It’s reported that the affected employees will have an opportunity to apply for other open roles at Google.  

Notably, the layoffs have impacted the entire Python programming language team responsible for internal runtimes and toolchains at Google — which includes some prominent core programmers/developers and steering council members.  

Google is planning to hire cheaper labor outside the U.S. to cut costs, with roles likely to move to Munich Germany, according to a report published by The Week.  

While Google remained silent about the exact number of layoffs, Tech Crunch reports that a California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN notice) revealed that 50 individuals across three locations in Sunnyvale were let go on April 24. 

The decision to proceed with layoffs also reflects a broader cost-cutting trend within the tech industry overall, which was prevalent throughout 2023 leading into this year. Other tech powerhouses, including Amazon and Facebook (META), have also made similar moves.   

Google’s decision only adds to the growing list of industry-wide layoffs among tech companies, suggestive of new strategies that prioritize AI and machine learning development over other areas of tech.  

This prioritization could add to the already rapid rate at which AI is advancing. As these technologies improve it will only increase the demand for a different skill set from the workforce, and this shift is predicted to lead to a reevaluation of professional roles and responsibilities — pushing many to adapt and pursue upskilling opportunities.  

The timing of Google’s layoffs, just weeks before the highly anticipated I/O developer conference, has raised questions about the potential implications for Google’s future projects and the broader tech industry.