Google Layoffs: Over 200 Workers For Gemini And AI Overviews Fired, Here's Why

The AI job threat is real. At least that’s what the recent tech layoffs show. Now, the search giant Google has reportedly fired over 200 workers, including too from its artificial intelligence projects, which include Gemini and AI Overviews. As per a report by Wired, the contractors have been laid off without any warning in at least two rounds of layoffs last month. This comes after employees expressed concerns about pay and working conditions. The report quoted the workers who have been impacted.  Also Read: Nano Banana AI Goes Viral, IPS Officer Reminds Users: ‘Your Data, Your Responsibility’

“I was just cut off. I asked for a reason, and they said ramp-down on the project-whatever that means,” said one worker, who had been rating AI outputs since March 2024. Also Read: How To Create Your Photo With Bollywood Actors Using Gemini Nano Banana: Check This Simple Prompt

Who Were These Workers?

As per the report, Google’s AI rating work has been largely outsourced to contractors through companies like GlobalLogic, owned by Hitachi. So, these raters played a crucial role in shaping AI products by evaluating chatbot responses, editing AI outputs, and ensuring features like AI Overviews generated more accurate and human-like answers. The report mentioned that many of these raters were highly qualified, even with master’s and PhDs.  Also Read: Google Pixel 10 Review: The New Upgrades Make This an Almost Perfect 10

What’s The Reason Behind Layoffs

Despite the skilled nature of their work, the contractors often complained about low pay, lack of job security, and demanding performance metrics. Over the past year, frustrations among workers have intensified. Pay discrepancies became a major issue, with GlobalLogic’s “super raters” earning $28–$32 an hour, while contractors brought in through third-party firms were paid only $18–$22 for the same tasks. On top of that, stricter targets were introduced – such as completing tasks within five minutes-which workers said led to “sacrificing quality” for speed.

Some workers attempted to organise for better wages and conditions. A few even tried to form a union with support from the Alphabet Workers Union. However, these efforts were reportedly quashed, with at least two employees filing complaints to the National Labour Relations Board alleging unfair dismissal.

For the workers, the irony is hard to miss. They allege that their job-rating AI responses are themselves in training systems that might eventually replace them. “How are we supposed to feel secure in this employment when we know that we could go at any moment?” one worker told Wired.

Google, on its part, has distanced itself, saying these contractors are employed by GlobalLogic and not Alphabet directly. But the episode highlights a bigger truth: even the people building AI tools aren’t safe from AI-driven disruption.