Big Tech Companies Start 2024 With New Round of Layoffs
The cuts have come following the mass layoffs that started in 2022, with several thousand employees being let go.
- Amazon, Google, and X have initiated a new round of layoffs even as they look to streamline operations and focus on priority verticals.
- The job cuts are expected to hit employees from around the world and continue the trend of cutting costs and investments in specific products and services.
Amazon, Google, and X have initiated a new round of layoffs as they enter 2024. Amazon has cut hundreds of jobs in its film and television studios division in addition to its streaming platform, Twitch. Google has also started to lay off hundreds of people from its voice-activated Google Assistant project and other employees in select product teams. Furthermore, X has cut staff from its global trust and safety team, and dealt a major blow to its team of safety engineers.
The cuts come as most Big Tech companies continue their cost-cutting efforts, streamline operations, and prioritize key projects. It follows the initial mass layoffs that resulted in several thousand job cuts in 2022 and 2023, including other major companies such as Apple, Microsoft, and many others.
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Amazon laid off hundreds of employees, particularly in its MGM Studio and Prime Video divisions, taking the overall tally of Amazon employees across various operational areas getting the axe to 27,000. In addition, Twitch’s live streaming unit also announced cuts of 500 jobs. The cuts at Twitch follow the resignation of numerous top executives over the past year.
Google also laid off hundreds of its workers in a number of divisions, driven by its growing focus on its artificial intelligence projects. The tech giant primarily cut roles in its core engineering division, the hardware division, and those working on the voice-activated Google Assistant. Under the leadership of Sundar Pichai, the company cut approximately 12000 jobs in 2023, and there has been a significant drive towards cost reduction.
Finally, According to Australia’s online safety watchdog, since 2022, X Corp., formerly known as Twitter, has reduced its global team of trust and safety staff by 30%, out of which 80% have been the roles of safety engineers. The cuts have largely come after Elon Musk’s takeover. A significant portion of these cuts have come at the cost of employees in the Asia-Pacific region.
What do you think about job prospects in the tech sector in 2024? Let us know your thoughts on LinkedIn, X, or Facebook. We’d love to hear from you!
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