Google has carried out a new round of layoffs within its Cloud division, affecting employees across several teams, including its renowned Threat Intelligence Group and Mandiant, the cybersecurity company it acquired in 2022. The move comes as technology companies continue to channel more resources toward artificial intelligence, even as they trim headcounts in other areas. Additionally, some individuals who lost their jobs shared updates regarding the Google layoffs on LinkedIn.
The reductions have taken place over the past two weeks and represent another chapter in the ongoing wave of workforce cuts sweeping through the technology sector, according to a Business Insider report. Companies are increasingly reallocating spending toward AI initiatives, leading to restructuring efforts across multiple business units.
Tech giants’ latest move mirrors broader trend in the industry. Meta reduced its workforce by 10 per cent last month, while Coinbase and Block have previously pointed to AI-focused spending as part of the rationale behind their own job-cutting measures. The cybersecurity industry has also felt the impact. In May, Cloudflare eliminated more than 1,100 roles as it positioned itself for what company executives described as the “agentic AI era.”
The developments highlight how AI is increasingly influencing corporate priorities, with companies seeking to redirect capital and talent toward emerging technologies that they believe will drive future growth.
Google’s Security And Cyber Threat Teams Affected
Sources familiar with the matter said in the report that Google’s Threat Intelligence Group, one of the company’s most respected cybersecurity research units, was among the teams impacted by the layoffs. The group has earned a strong reputation for tracking hacker operations, analysing cyberattacks, and publishing reports on global security threats. Employees from Mandiant and other Google Cloud divisions were also affected.
Addressing the workforce reductions, a Google spokesperson said: “We regularly evaluate our internal structures to ensure we are best positioned to meet the evolving demands of our customers and the industry.”
A person familiar with the decision said in the report that the company justified the move by stressing the need to reinvest resources into high-growth segments, particularly AI development. The comments reflect the growing importance of artificial intelligence within Google’s long-term business strategy, as competition intensifies among technology giants seeking leadership in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
