Latest news with #CourtenayMencini
American Press
16-06-2025
- Business
- American Press
Google offers buyouts to more workers amid AI-driven tech upheaval and antitrust uncertainty
Google said Friday it's laying off 12,000 workers, becoming the latest tech company to trim staff after rapid expansions during the COVID-19 pandemic have worn off. (Special to the American Press) Google has offered buyouts to another swath of its workforce across several key divisions in a fresh round of cost cutting coming ahead of a court decision that could order a breakup of its internet empire. The Mountain View, California, company confirmed the streamlining that was reported by several news outlets. It's not clear how many employees are affected, but the offers were made to staff in Google's search, advertising, research and engineering units, according to The Wall Street Journal. Google employs most of the nearly 186,000 workers on the worldwide payroll of its parent company, Alphabet Inc. 'Earlier this year, some of our teams introduced a voluntary exit program with severance for U.S.-based Googlers, and several more are now offering the program to support our important work ahead,' a Google spokesperson, Courtenay Mencini, said in a statement. 'A number of teams are also asking remote employees who live near an office to return to a hybrid work schedule in order to bring folks more together in-person,' Mencini said. Google is offering the buyouts while awaiting for a federal judge to determine its fate after its ubiquitous search engine was declared an illegal monopoly as part of nearly 5-year-old case by the U.S. Justice Department. The company is also awaiting remedy action in another antitrust case involving its digital ad network. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta is weighing a government proposal seeking to ban Google paying more than $26 billon annually to Apple and other technology companies to lock in its search engine as the go-to place for online information, require it to share data with rivals and force a sale of its popular Chrome browser. The judge is expected to rule before Labor Day, clearing the way for Google to pursue its plan to appeal last year's decision that labeled its search engine as a monopoly. The proposed dismantling coincides with ongoing efforts by the Justice Department to force Google to part with some of the technology powering the company's digital ad network after a federal judge ruled that its digital ad network has been improperly abusing its market power to stifle competition to the detriment of online publishers. Like several of its peers in Big Tech, Google has been periodically reducing its headcount since 2023 as the industry began to backtrack from the hiring spree that was triggered during pandemic lockdowns that spurred feverish demand for digital services. Google began its post-pandemic retrenchment by laying off 12,000 workers in early 2023 and since then as been trimming some divisions to help bolster its profits while ramping up its spending on artificial intelligence — a technology driving an upheaval that is starting to transform its search engine into a more conversational answer engine.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Google buyouts are being offered to employees on search and other teams as shift to AI ramps up
Google is offering buyouts to certain employees in the United States and requiring more workers to return to offices as it continues to shift toward AI. RIP to the almost future of computing: Apple just turned the iPad into a Mac Starbucks just developed an ingenious way to add 15 grams of protein to almost any drink Why Third Amendment memes are suddenly taking over social media The 'voluntary exit program,' as Google calls it, is being offered to employees on the communications, core, knowledge and information (which includes search, ads, and commerce), marketing, and research teams, Google confirmed with Fast Company on Wednesday. The buyouts would see Google provide employees with a pay and benefits package in exchange for their exit. 'Earlier this year, some of our teams introduced a voluntary exit program with severance for US-based Googlers, and several more are now offering the program to support our important work ahead,' Google spokesperson Courtenay Mencini said in a statement. 'A number of teams are also asking remote employees who live near an office to return to a hybrid work schedule in order to bring folks more together in-person.' The exact details of this deal are to follow, according to a memo reportedly sent by Jen Fitzpatrick, senior vice president of core systems. CNBC reports that mid- to senior-level employees in the Peoples Operations unit received up to 14 weeks of their salary plus another week for every completed year on the job during a previous buyout in February. CNBC and Business Insider reported on the memo on Tuesday. Fitzpatrick reportedly stated that AI is 'reshaping everything—our products, our tools, the way we work, how we work, how we innovate and so on.' She continued, 'To meet this transformational moment, we need everyone to show up with an unparalleled sense of energy and enthusiasm for Core's mission, connecting and collaborating at speed so that we can tackle all of the ambitious work we need to do.' Meeting the moment also means being willing to commute up to 50 miles to the office three times a week. In the same memo, Google reportedly announced that all employees within that distance of an 'approved return site' must come in 60% of the time. Taking the stance that workers must show face to perform well, Google reportedly stated, 'We want to ensure Core Googlers are fully committed to being here and actively contributing. These programs will help us be even more focused on our mission and will enable us to operate with greater velocity, efficiency and collaboration.' Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick reportedly noted that the buyouts are for employees 'who aren't feeling excited about and aligned with Core's mission and goals, or those who are having difficulty meeting the demands of their role.' In other words, if you feel behind at work, quitting might be the best option. Though the buyouts are voluntary, they could spell layoffs for those teams. In January, Google offered buyouts to employees in its platforms and devices division, only to lay off hundreds of workers in the unit a few months later. Google also laid off about 12,000 employees in January 2023 and has done multiple rounds of layoffs since. This post originally appeared at to get the Fast Company newsletter: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Asharq Al-Awsat
12-06-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Google Offers Buyouts to More Workers amid AI-driven Tech Upheaval and Antitrust Uncertainty
Google has offered buyouts to another swath of its workforce across several key divisions in a fresh round of cost cutting coming ahead of a court decision that could order a breakup of its internet empire. The Mountain View, California, company confirmed the streamlining that was reported by several news outlets, said The Associated Press. It's not clear how many employees are affected, but the offers were made to staff in Google's search, advertising, research and engineering units, according to The Wall Street Journal. Google employs most of the nearly 186,000 workers on the worldwide payroll of its parent company, Alphabet Inc. 'Earlier this year, some of our teams introduced a voluntary exit program with severance for US-based Googlers, and several more are now offering the program to support our important work ahead," a Google spokesperson, Courtenay Mencini, said in a statement. 'A number of teams are also asking remote employees who live near an office to return to a hybrid work schedule in order to bring folks more together in-person,' Mencini said. Google is offering the buyouts while awaiting for a federal judge to determine its fate after its ubiquitous search engine was declared an illegal monopoly as part of nearly 5-year-old case by the US Justice Department. The company is also awaiting remedy action in another antitrust case involving its digital ad network. US District Judge Amit Mehta is weighing a government proposal seeking to ban Google paying more than $26 billon annually to Apple and other technology companies to lock in its search engine as the go-to place for online information, require it to share data with rivals and force a sale of its popular Chrome browser. The judge is expected to rule before Labor Day, clearing the way for Google to pursue its plan to appeal last year's decision that labeled its search engine as a monopoly. The proposed dismantling coincides with ongoing efforts by the Justice Department to force Google to part with some of the technology powering the company's digital ad network after a federal judge ruled that its digital ad network has been improperly abusing its market power to stifle competition to the detriment of online publishers. Like several of its peers in Big Tech, Google has been periodically reducing its headcount since 2023 as the industry began to backtrack from the hiring spree that was triggered during pandemic lockdowns that spurred feverish demand for digital services. Google began its post-pandemic retrenchment by laying off 12,000 workers in early 2023 and since then as been trimming some divisions to help bolster its profits while ramping up its spending on artificial intelligence — a technology driving an upheaval that is starting to transform its search engine into a more conversational answer engine.
Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Chrome may soon get AI Mode for direct answers in your browser's search bar
Google is testing a new way to bring artificial intelligence directly into its Chrome browser. Following recent moves to highlight AI features in its Google app, the company has started experimenting with an 'AI Mode' in Chrome's latest Canary build. This addition aims to give users quicker access to AI-generated answers right from the browser's search bar. The AI Mode icon appears near the existing voice and image search buttons (spotted by the Windows Report) on the Chrome New Tab page. When users click the icon, a text box opens where they can type questions or prompts. The system then provides an AI-generated response, which will let users interact and follow up easily within the browser itself. Also read: Snap to launch smart glasses for users in 2026 in challenge to Meta However, not all users will have immediate access. According to reports from a leaker, Leopeva64, Google requires users to meet specific criteria to enable AI Mode. Those who do not qualify will see a page explaining the feature with a link to more information. This test adds another option to access Google's AI-powered search, which is already available through the Google app and via a dedicated web address at The integration into Chrome could make AI tools more accessible during everyday browsing. Also read: Nintendo sells record 3.5 million Switch 2 consoles in four days In other news, Google is undergoing workforce changes amid ongoing business shifts. The company has offered voluntary buyouts to many employees across key divisions, including search, advertising, research, and engineering. These moves come as Google prepares for a court ruling that could impact its current structure. The exact number of employees affected has not been disclosed. Also read: OpenAI taps Google in unprecedented cloud deal despite AI rivalry A company spokesperson, Courtenay Mencini, clarified that some groups had already introduced voluntary exit programs with severance packages earlier this year. More teams have recently adopted similar programs to manage resources while focusing on future initiatives. Additionally, Google is encouraging remote workers living near its offices to return to hybrid work models, aiming to increase in-person collaboration among employees.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Google offers buyouts to more workers amid AI-driven tech upheaval and antitrust uncertainty
Mountain View, California: Google has offered buyouts to another swath of its workforce across several key divisions in a fresh round of cost cutting coming ahead of a court decision that could order a breakup of its internet empire. The Mountain View, California, company confirmed the streamlining that was reported by several news outlets. It is not clear how many employees are affected, but the offers were made to staff in Google's search, advertising, research and engineering units, according to The Wall Street Journal. Google employs most of the nearly 1,86,000 workers on the worldwide payroll of its parent company, Alphabet Inc. "Earlier this year, some of our teams introduced a voluntary exit programme with severance for US-based Googlers, and several more are now offering the programme to support our important work ahead," a Google spokesperson, Courtenay Mencini, said in a statement. "A number of teams are also asking remote employees who live near an office to return to a hybrid work schedule in order to bring folks more together in-person," Mencini said. Google is offering the buyouts while awaiting a federal judge to determine its fate after its ubiquito us search engine was declared an illegal monopoly as part of nearly five-year-old case by the US Justice Department. The company is also awaiting remedy action in another antitrust case involving its digital ad network. US District Judge Amit Mehta is weighing a government proposal seeking to ban Google paying more than USD 26 billon annually to Apple and other technology companies to lock in its search engine as the go-to place for online information, require it to share data with rivals and force a sale of its popular Chrome browser. The judge is expected to rule before Labour Day, clearing the way for Google to pursue its plan to appeal last year's decision that labelled its search engine as a monopoly. The proposed dismantling coincides with ongoing efforts by the Justice Department to force Google to part with some of the technology powering the company's digital ad network after a federal judge ruled that its digital ad network has been improperly abusing its market power to stifle competition to the detriment of online publishers. Like several of its peers in Big Tech, Google has been periodically reducing its headcount since 2023 as the industry began to backtrack from the hiring spree that was triggered during pandemic lockdowns that spurred feverish demand for digital services. Google began its post-pandemic retrenchment by laying off 12,000 workers in early 2023 and since then as been trimming some divisions to help bolster its profits while ramping up its spending on artificial intelligence - a technology driving an upheaval that is starting to transform its search engine into a more conversational answer engine. (AP)
