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Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., is reducing its workforce, including many employees from its Trust and Safety team. This comes as the company faces challenges with its generative AI tool, Gemini.
Moreover, despite the cuts, some team members are being asked to work extra hours on weekends to address issues with Gemini, as reported by Bloomberg.
The reduction in the Trust and Safety Solutions group was confirmed by insiders who preferred to remain anonymous. Around ten individuals out of a team of approximately 250 will be affected. Google’s Trust and Safety teams are responsible for ensuring the safety of its AI products, anticipating potential misuse, and evaluating risks to protect users worldwide.
Although Google is downsizing, it relies more on its trust and safety staff. Some employees have been asked to volunteer for weekend testing to prevent further problems with Gemini. While the layoffs won’t directly impact those working on Gemini, the broader Trust and Safety team is facing increased workloads due to recent issues with the AI tool generating inaccurate images.
Google characterizes the layoffs as part of its ongoing efforts to streamline operations and invest in critical priorities. The company has been restructuring teams since mid-January, with no indication of when this process will end.
A Google spokesperson told Bloomberg that the reorganization would enhance support for AI products and create opportunities for additional Trust and Safety roles in the future.
Employees working on AI safety have reportedly experienced low morale and disempowerment amid the company’s fast-paced product launches to compete with rivals like OpenAI. CEO Sundar Pichai acknowledged the importance of the Trust and Safety teams in addressing user concerns with Gemini, noting significant improvements in the tool’s performance.
