Layoffs 2024: January sees over 7,500 job cuts by tech companies globally

In the first two weeks of 2024, layoffs surged in the tech industry, affecting over 7,500 employees, as per Layoffs.fyi.

Notable companies like Frontdesk, Google, Amazon, and Unity have announced job cuts. Frontdesk terminated 200 employees in a 2-minute Google video call. Google and Amazon, have announced significant job cuts across various departments.

Unity, a gaming company, also has plans to lay off 25% of its workforce, amounting to 1,800 employees. In fact, both Google and Amazon have indicated further job cuts in 2024, aligning with their significant investments in generative AI.

Analysts anticipate smaller, more targeted layoffs, with companies striving to catch up in the AI race offsetting their substantial tech investments.

Google to layoff jobs in ad team tweak

Google on Tuesday confirmed it is eliminating "a few hundred" positions from its global ad team, amid a push to use artificial intelligence for efficiency and creativity.

The job cuts to its "large customer" sales team are intended to result in better support for small and medium size businesses advertising on Google's platform, according to the internet giant.

Expansion of small business ad teams at Google was expected by the company to result in increased hiring this year.

Google made no mention of generative AI, which is disrupting many sectors including advertising.

Last week, Google's cloud computing unit announced new AI tools to help retailers "personalize online shopping, modernize operations, and transform in-store technology rollouts."