Latest news with #K&I
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Google Expands Buyouts In Search And Ads Division As AI Reshapes Priorities
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Alphabet, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Google on Tuesday offered buyouts to U.S.-based employees in multiple departments, including the search ads unit. The Details: The company extended the voluntary exit program to workers in several divisions, according to CNBC. Impacted teams include knowledge and information (K&I), central engineering, marketing, research and communications. K&I, which oversees Google's search, ads and commerce operations, has roughly 20,000 staff. Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — In its most recent quarterly report, Alphabet disclosed that Google Search and related services generated $50.7 billion of the company's total revenue of $90.23 billion. When including all advertising streams—such as Search, YouTube ads and Google Network—the total advertising revenue reached $66.89 billion for the quarter, underscoring how central these business lines remain to Google's overall financial performance. The latest buyouts follow previous headcount reductions dating back to 2023. CNBC reported that finance chief Anat Ashkenazi previously cited cost-cutting as a key priority amid rising AI infrastructure spending. Google has also implemented return-to-office requirements for some remote employees living within 50 miles of a company location. A memo from K&I chief Nick Fox encouraged employees who are disengaged or underperforming to consider the exit package. However, he urged those excited by their roles and aligned with the company's goals to stay. Earlier this year, similar buyouts were offered in the "Platforms and Devices" and "People Operations" units. Google is also shifting internal training resources toward practical AI tools and away from less essential programs, CNBC It Matters: Ongoing cost-cutting efforts at Google underscore the company's broader strategy to reallocate resources toward artificial intelligence infrastructure. In February, Google planned voluntary buyouts in its People Operations division beginning in March. Some mid to senior-level staff were offered 14 weeks of severance plus an additional week for each year of service. The company also laid off operations support employees in its cloud unit, with some roles relocated to India and Mexico City. Despite this shift, the memo stated the U.S. would remain the cloud team's largest hub. These cuts came after Ashkenazi said cost discipline would be key as AI-related demand outpaced infrastructure capacity. She noted the company ended 2024 with "more demand than we had available capacity" for its AI products. Google's cloud division grew revenue by 30% year over year in Q4. Google continues to position cloud and AI initiatives as central to its 2025 investment priorities. Read Next: In terms of getting money back, these bank accounts put traditional checking and savings accounts to shame. Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down taxes: Schedule your free call with a financial advisor to start your financial journey – no cost, no obligation. Image: Shutterstock This article Google Expands Buyouts In Search And Ads Division As AI Reshapes Priorities originally appeared on Sign in to access your portfolio
India Today
a day ago
- Business
- India Today
Google offers buyout plans amid AI-focused overhaul: Report
Google has started offering voluntary buyouts to employees in several teams, including those working in its Knowledge and Information (K&I) unit, which includes its Search and Ads divisions, reported move is part of ongoing efforts to downsize its workforce, a strategy the tech giant has been employing since its notable layoffs in 2023 that affected 12,000 employees. The exact number of employees impacted by this latest buyout offer remains unconfirmed by the buyouts are part of a broader initiative to streamline operations as the company continues to allocate resources towards enhancing its artificial intelligence IS THIS NEW BUYOUT OFFER? Instead of laying people off, Google is now giving some employees the option to leave the company with a severance package. This is being called a "voluntary exit programme" (VEP).The company confirmed that the programme is meant for employees in the US, while some teams are asking remote workers living within 50 miles of an office to return part-time under a hybrid model to encourage more in-person collaboration, mentioned the DOES THE MANAGEMENT SAY?Google executive, Nick Fox, communicated via a memo that the VEP is designed to offer a supportive path for those who may not feel aligned with the company's strategic direction or are struggling to meet role emphasised in the memo that employees who are motivated, aligned with the company's goals, and performing well are encouraged to stay, the report IS THIS HAPPENING NOW?Google is shifting its focus to AI, which means reorganising teams and spending more wisely. The company wants to put more money into building AI tools and training its staff to use them why it's also shutting down some older training programmes and replacing them with new ones focused on AI Watch
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Google offers buyout option to Core Googlers, Senior VP Nick Fox sends email to employees, says: Goal here is to ...
In a strategic move, Google has started a new round of voluntary exit programs, commonly referred to as buyouts. The tech giant is now offering voluntary buyouts to employees in its Core, Search, Ads, and Knowledge & Information (K&I) divisions as part of its ongoing AI-focused restructuring. This move of the company was announcedJune 10, 2025, comes alongside a stricter return-to-office mandate, requiring remote employees near a Google office to adopt a hybrid schedule. Senior Vice President Nick Fox, who leads Google's Knowledge & Information group sent an email to employees explaining the rationale behind the buyout program. He emphasised that the goal is to provide a supportive exit path for those who don't feel aligned with Google's strategy, aren't energised by their work, or are struggling to meet expectations. The voluntary exit program offers a minimum of 14 weeks' salary, plus one additional week for every year of service. Employees in affected divisions have until July 1, 2025, to enroll in the program. ReadGoogle Senior VP Nick Fox's email sent to employees here Hey all-- by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo It's been an incredible few months -- we shared our vision at I/O and GML, and we've been shipping at a dizzying pace. We've seen a super positive response to AI Mode including our shopping announcements, heard excitement about our new ads experiences directly from businesses, and are bringing Maps to cutting-edge new surfaces like Gemini Live and XR glasses. It's been intense – but also intensely fun and energizing – and I've seen and heard the same from many of you. I took on this role to lead K&I because I believe there's no better place to transform the lives of billions of users through this AI moment. This is the opportunity of a lifetime -- and it's here right now. In this exciting time and with so much important work underway, my goal is for every single one of us here to be all-in on building the future of our products. To support this, I've made two decisions. Offering a Voluntary Exit Program (VEP) for K&I Googlers in the U.S. Some orgs at Google have offered a Voluntary Exit Program (VEP) over the past few months, and I've been paying close attention and considering whether we should do the same for K&I. After hearing positive feedback on those pilots as well as requests within our org, I've decided to offer a VEP -- this gives eligible U.S-based K&I Googlers (my direct reporting org) the ability to voluntarily leave the company with a severance package. I want to be very clear: If you're excited about your work, energized by the opportunity ahead, and performing well, I really (really!) hope you don't take this! We have ambitious plans and tons to get done. We need your energy and dedication, and I want you at Google! On the other hand, this VEP offers a supportive exit path for those of you who don't feel aligned with our strategy, don't feel energized by your work, or are having difficulty meeting the expectations of your role. Work location policy change for Local Remote K&I Googlers in the U.S. For hybrid K&I Googlers, coming into the office on a hybrid schedule is part of our expectations. You've heard me say that I believe we innovate better and make decisions faster when we're working together in the office. I've decided to update our work location policy to be more consistent, so U.S. K&I Googlers who are currently fully remote and live within 50 miles of one of our K&I return sites will transition back to the office. This means they'll align to the 3/2 hybrid schedule that nearly all K&I Googlers are already on. We're working to ensure our offices are ready to support our team as we welcome more Googlers back into the office, and we are offering relocation support if Local Remote K&I Googlers wish to be closer to their return site. Looking ahead My goal here is to ensure that everyone on our team is fully committed -- it's not to achieve a headcount target. In fact, we continue to hire where needed, and we expect to backfill many of the exited roles -- which will also create new opportunities for internal mobility and growth. We'll follow up with all U.S.-based K&I Googlers and with U.S. Local Remote K&I Googlers to share relevant details by the end of the day. I hope you feel empowered to make the decision that's right for you, and I really hope that you're inspired by the opportunity here and choose to stay and build with us. Thanks, -Nick AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Google rolls out buyout offers in US teams as AI spending takes priority
Google on Tuesday initiated a fresh round of voluntary buyout offers across multiple US-based departments, including the knowledge and information (K&I) unit, central engineering, marketing, communications, and research teams, according to a report by CNBC. The K&I division includes major departments such as Search, Advertising, and Commerce. A voluntary buyout—or voluntary exit programme (VEP)—is a financial incentive offered to employees to resign willingly, typically implemented as a cost-cutting or restructuring strategy. A Google spokesperson confirmed the initiative to CNBC, stating: '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.' However, the exact number of affected employees has not been disclosed. 'You may leave if you don't feel energised': Fox memo Nick Fox, who has headed the K&I unit since an October 2023 reorganisation, addressed staff in a memo urging those who feel disconnected from the company's goals or struggling with performance expectations to consider the exit offer. 'I want to be very clear: If you're excited about your work, energised by the opportunity ahead, and performing well, I really (really!) hope you don't take this,' Fox wrote in the internal communication. 'On the other hand, this VEP offers a supportive exit path for those of you who don't feel aligned with our strategy, don't feel energised by your work, or are having difficulty meeting the expectations of your role.' The exit programme applies only to full-time US-based employees. In addition, remote workers within 50 miles of a Google office are being asked to return to the office under a hybrid schedule. Previous buyouts across teams This is not the first time Google has turned to buyouts. In January, its Platforms and Devices division—including Android, Chrome, and Pixel hardware—introduced a similar voluntary exit scheme. This was followed by the People Operations division in February, which offered mid- to senior-level staff up to 14 weeks of severance, plus one additional week per year of service. Legal and finance departments have also implemented buyout initiatives. Fox noted that he reviewed earlier programmes and received positive feedback from other teams before adopting the approach for the K&I unit. AI focus drives internal restructuring Google's increased use of voluntary exits reflects its broader strategy to reallocate resources toward artificial intelligence infrastructure. The company is also investing in internal training programmes focused on deploying practical AI tools across its products. Earlier this year, some employees welcomed the buyout option over abrupt layoffs. However, the buyout offers often come with return-to-office conditions. According to an April report by CNBC, some remote employees were told to resume in-office work to retain their roles and avoid further job uncertainty.
Mint
2 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Google offers buyout: Why is the tech giant paying employees to leave?
Google on Tuesday is trimming its workforce by offering buyouts to employees across several divisions. The layoffs target teams across the company's knowledge and information (K&I) unit, central engineering units as well as marketing, research and communications teams, reported CNBC. The 'voluntary exit program' applies to the US-based employees. Some teams are also making it mandatory for remote employees who live within 50 miles of the company to come back to the office, according to the report. They will be expected to assume a hybrid work schedule 'in order to bring folks more together in-person,' said the company. Paying severance for silent exit 'Earlier this year, some of our teams introduced a voluntary exit program with severance for the US-based Googlers, and several more are now offering the program to support our important work ahead,' Google spokesperson Courtenay Mencini wrote in an emailed statement to CNBC. Also Read | Google rolls out Android 16: Full list of supported devices and features The K&I unit of Google has approximately 20,000 employees. It underwent a reorganisation in October last year which resulted in Google executive Nick Fox taking over the helm. Fox sent out a memo on Tuesday saying that 'employees who are not meeting expectations may want to take the buyout and those who are excited by their work and doing well will remain with the company', reported CNBC. What does Google executive's memo say? 'I want to be very clear: If you're excited about your work, energized by the opportunity ahead, and performing well, I really (really!) hope you don't take this! We have ambitious plans and tons to get done,' Fox wrote, according to the memo, which was reviewed by CNBC. Also Read | Satya Nadella breaks silence on Microsoft layoffs that shed 3% of workforce 'On the other hand, this VEP offers a supportive exit path for those of you who don't feel aligned with our strategy, don't feel energized by your work, or are having difficulty meeting the expectations of your role.' Fox added. 'AI Infra spending' is Google's top priority The buyouts come after the company's finance chief Anat Ashkenazi in October last year said that one of her top priorities would be to drive more cost cutting as Google expands its spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure in 2025. Google is also overhauling a popular internal learning platform to focus on teaching employees how to use modern AI tools in their work in a shift away from some of its nice-to-have programs to more business-essential offerings, as per the CNBC report. Buyouts are new-age layoffs Google has done multiple buyout offers in a few units this year, making it a preferred strategy to reduce employee count, marking a cultural shift from traditional layoffs. Also Read | Google introduces Scheduled Actions in Gemini app: How the feature works The pivot to buyouts came after Google faced backlash for laying off 6 per cent of its workforce in January 2023. At the time, employees said their access to company systems was unexpectedly cut off. Some of them were long-time employees, stellar performers or on medical or maternity leave, CNBC reported at the time. The full-time US-based employees of Platforms and Devices, which is the company's hardware unit, can apply for a buyout in January. This unit consists of 25,000 full-time employees working on Android, Chrome, ChromeOS, Google Photos, Google One and the Pixel devices People Operations, also known as the company's human resources department, offered voluntary buyouts in February. Google's legal and finance teams have also announced buyouts this year, a company spokesperson told CNBC. How much severance pay can employees expect? As part of the People Operations buyouts, mid to senior-level employees received severances of up to 14 weeks of salary and one additional week for every full year of service, said CNBC.
