AI Contractors working at Google have been laid off. According to a report by Wired, over 200 contract workers who assisted Google in advancing and training the AI models have been shown the door. Although the lay-offs have been made but not directly by Meta or Google but rather by an outsourcing firm GlobalLogic.
Google layoffs 200 contract workers:
According to the report, more than 200 contract workers have been laid off. These workers were reportedly laid off by GlobalLogic, which is a firm specialising in handling og Google’s AI rating projects. To add to the Psychological pressure of layoffs the contract workers claim, Google used them to train AI models. These advanced and trained models can, in the near future, make the contractual workers’ jobs redundant.
Google employee reacts to layoffs:
“I was just cut off. I asked for a reason, and they said ramp-down on the project—whatever that means,” says Andrew Lauzon. He says he an email that detailed his termination on August 15. He joined GlobalLogic in March 2024.
Growing Unrest among workers prior to lay-offs?
The job cuts also come against a backdrop of worker unrest. Over the past year, some contractors have attempted to organise and push for better pay and transparency. Others voiced concerns about workload pressure, including strict time limits for tasks that left them focusing on speed rather than quality. A group even explored forming a union under the Alphabet Workers Union, but workers claim those efforts were discouraged. At least two have now filed complaints with the US labour board, alleging they were dismissed for speaking up about conditions.
Pay Parity!
There are also reports of growing disparities within the workforce. Workers directly hired by GlobalLogic earned about $28 to $32 an hour, while contractors brought in through third-party agencies were paid $18 to $22 for the same assignments. Generalist raters, who did not need advanced degrees, were paid even less despite sometimes being pulled into more complex projects.
Some remaining workers say they feel trapped. A few who joined GlobalLogic as full-time employees received better stability, but the majority continue to be on short-term contracts without benefits or paid leave. Many say they now hesitate to raise concerns, fearing they could be next in line for dismissal. “It’s just been an oppressive atmosphere,” one rater said.
Google’s Stance
Google, meanwhile, has tried to distance itself from the dispute. “These individuals are employees of GlobalLogic or their subcontractors, not Alphabet,” spokesperson Courtenay Mencini said. “As the employers, GlobalLogic and their subcontractors are responsible for the employment and working conditions of their employees.” GlobalLogic has declined to comment.
