In the lead-up to its annual I/O developer conference, Google has reportedly laid off employees from several key teams, including Flutter, Dart, and Python. The layoffs were confirmed by a Google spokesperson, who emphasized that Google is continuing to invest in high-priority areas and that changes were made to increase efficiency and align resources with the company’s most important product priorities.
While Google did not disclose the specific number of job cuts or the roles affected, reports from affected employees on social media suggest that the layoffs were significant. Google employees expressed disappointment but indicated their commitment to continuing their work for the upcoming I/O conference and beyond.
A laid-off Flutter and Dart PM shared that the layoffs affected numerous teams and resulted in the loss of talented professionals from major projects. Despite this setback, Google representatives have assured that Flutter will have new updates to showcase at I/O this year.
Another laid-off employee from the Python team highlighted the team’s contributions to internal Python runtimes and toolchains, as well as its collaboration with OSS Python. The team included experienced core developers and steering council members, making the loss particularly notable.
According to a WARN notice filed by Google, the company laid off a total of 50 employees across three locations in Sunnyvale. CNBC reported that an additional 200 employees were laid off from Google’s “Core” teams, including individuals working on Python, app platforms, and engineering roles, with some jobs being shifted to India and Mexico.
Despite concerns about the impact of the Python layoffs on Google’s AI development, Google stated that it has not eliminated its Python team and has replaced the existing team with a new group based in Munich. Google has pledged to support affected employees with job search assistance, outplacement services, and severance packages.
The layoffs underscore Google’s ongoing efforts to optimize its operations and focus on its most promising areas. The company emphasized that the changes were not intended to be a cost-cutting measure but rather a strategic move to enhance productivity and allocate resources effectively. As Google prepares for I/O, it remains to be seen how these layoffs will shape the company’s future.
