Global site navigation

Google eliminates hundreds of jobs in ad team tweak
Technology

Google eliminates hundreds of jobs in ad team tweak

by  AFP 2 min read
Google's cloud computing unit is ramping up generative artificial intelligence tools retailers can use to embed personalized chatbots in websites or mobile apps, and to make it more likely their products will pop up in online searches
Google's cloud computing unit is ramping up generative artificial intelligence tools retailers can use to embed personalized chatbots in websites or mobile apps, and to make it more likely their products will pop up in online searches. Photo: Pau BARRENA / AFP
Source: AFP

PAY ATTENTION: We are on WhatsApp! Get trending news in your favourite app - FOLLOW NOW!

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."

Google cited research indicating that some 80 percent of US retailers feel it is urgent to adopt generative AI in their operations.

Read also

Epic says Apple court fight is 'lost'

PAY ATTENTION: Watch the hottest celebrity stories on our YouTube channel 'Briefly TV'. Subscribe now!

"In only a year, generative AI has morphed from a barely recognized concept to one of the fastest-moving capabilities in all of technology and a critical part of many retailers' agendas," Google Cloud strategic industries vice president Carrie Tharp said in a release.

New Google AI tools included enabling retailers to easily embed virtual agents in websites or mobile apps to provide personalized help and recommendations to shoppers, according to a release.

Google AI is also being put to work analyzing product images and producing product descriptions or terms suited to optimize discovery in online searches, the company said.

Google laid off around 12,000 people this time last year, about six percent of its workforce, in the face of inflation and rising interest rates.

The Silicon Valley company has since invested heavily in generative AI.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.

Hot: