Alphabet, the parent company of Google, is set to cut 12,000 jobs worldwide. This move follows a pandemic-induced hiring spree and a refocus on artificial intelligence.
In a memo to staff, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said the cuts represent 6% of the Alphabet’s global workforce.
“We need to ensure our resources are allocated to the highest impact initiatives,” Pichai wrote. “We have worked hard to make sure we are investing in the right areas and that we are operating efficiently.”
The layoffs come as Alphabet looks to streamline its operations and focus on its core businesses. The company has already made cuts in its travel, marketing, and hardware divisions.
The news of Alphabet’s job cuts comes as the tech giant faces increasing pressure to diversify its workforce and address racial and gender inequality.
Alphabet has not yet announced which divisions will be affected, but it is expected to provide more details in the coming weeks.