US EditionHundreds of Google AI Workers Were Fired Amid Fight Over Working Conditions
Google laid off 200 AI raters, many with advanced degrees, amid disputes over pay and job security; workers allege retaliation and efforts to replace them with AI automation.
- Over 200 contract workers involved in the development and evaluation of Google's AI offerings, such as Gemini and AI Overviews, were unexpectedly dismissed in several rounds of layoffs last month.
- The layoffs followed ongoing disputes over pay, job security, and efforts to unionize, with companies citing a vague 'ramp-down' on the project as the reason.
- The contractors were primarily skilled raters employed through firms like GlobalLogic who evaluated AI outputs under tight deadlines while earning low wages, often around $14 an hour.
- Andrew Lauzon, a GlobalLogic contractor, said he was "just cut off" mid-project via email on August 15 and questioned how workers could feel secure in their employment.
- These layoffs highlight tensions around AI labor practices and could affect how companies manage contractor transparency, worker protections, and AI ethics moving forward.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Google lays off 200 plus contractors working on AI projects
New Delhi: Tech giant Google has reportedly laid off more than 200 contractors working on its artificial intelligence projects, including Gemini and AI Overviews. The move has raised concerns over job security, low pay, and possible retaliation against unionisation efforts. According to a report by ‘WIRED’, the layoffs took place in at least two separate rounds last month and were carried out with little or no prior warning. Several contractors …
Hundreds of Google AI Workers Were Fired Amid Fight Over Working Conditions
Over 200 contractors who work on improving Google’s AI products, including Gemini and AI Overviews, have been laid off, sources say. It’s the latest development in a conflict over pay and alleged poor working conditions.
Google layoffs: Over 200 Google AI workers fired amid pay disputes and automation concerns
Google layoffs: Hundreds of contractors helping improve Google’s AI tools, like Gemini and AI Overviews, were suddenly laid off. Hired through GlobalLogic, many say the cuts aimed to silence protests over low pay and poor conditions. These raters made AI responses more natural and accurate but now fear being replaced by AI.
Google Fires Over 200 AI Contractors, Including Gemini Team Members
New Delhi, September 16 Tech giant Google has reportedly laid off more than 200 contractors working on its artificial intelligence projects, including Gemini and AI Overviews, sparking concerns over job security, low pay, and potential retaliation against unionisation efforts. Details of the Layoffs According to a report by WIRED, the layoffs occurred in at least two separate rounds last month with minimal or no prior warning. Many affected cont…
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