Over 4,500 Google employees wrote to CEO Sundar Pichai, asking the company to take measures to safeguard jobs while it spends too much on AI. The petition started when the tech giant has been laying off employees all over the world to strengthen its AI investment.
Alphabet Worker Union members have delivered the petition to Pichai’s office, with 100 employees also gathered outside the campus to support the move to make the largest employee movement in recent times. The concern of the employees was clear: the company is investing in AI, but why are the employees the ones to pay the price? The petition asked for some changes, including guaranteed severance packages, voluntary buyout options before compulsory layoffs, and changes to Google's performance review system.
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Alphabet Workers Union President Parul Koul has accused the company of valuing shareholder returns more than employees, despite the increased share growth. He mentioned, “These layoffs and cuts are not difficult decisions, but simply profit being put over the people that make this company run.”
Google has not announced any fresh layoffs linked to the petition. It has said in the past that AI is meant to help people work more efficiently, not replace them. Even so, the letter shows that many employees are still looking for reassurance as Google's AI plans continue to grow.