Google Layoffs 2025: Over 100 Design Jobs Cut as Company Shifts Focus to AI

Google has announced another round of layoffs, this time impacting its design and research divisions, as the company accelerates its shift toward artificial intelligence (AI).

According to reports, over 100 employees were let go earlier this week from teams working in Quantitative User Experience Research and Platform and Service Experience within the Google Cloud division. Several other departments were also affected.

Roles Affected

The employees laid off were primarily those analyzing user behavior through data, surveys, and research to improve product design. Some cloud design teams were reportedly cut by more than half. A majority of the affected employees are based in the United States.

Google has given certain employees until December 1, 2025, to secure internal transfers. Until then, they will continue to receive salaries and benefits.

AI-Driven Restructuring

Industry reports suggest the layoffs are part of Google’s cost-cutting and reorganization strategy as it invests heavily in AI infrastructure. The company is restructuring divisions, prioritizing AI projects, and converting some units into resource development centers.

Last month, Google laid off more than 200 contractors working on Gemini AI and AI Overviews. Earlier in the year, it also cut jobs in its global business unit, Platforms and Devices, which oversees hardware and software development.

This marks the third round of layoffs in 2025.

Wider Cuts Across Divisions

In addition to job reductions, Google has introduced voluntary severance packages for employees in hardware, search, advertising, marketing, finance, and commerce. The company has also trimmed its management structure, eliminating nearly one-third of middle-level managers as part of an operational streamlining push.

Despite these cuts, Google remains a dominant force in the global tech sector. As of December 2024, the company had 183,323 employees worldwide.