It looks like Sundar Pichai, the head of Google, is on his way to austerity. The planned pixel book was allegedly canceled just a few days ago. It is now reported that Google is significantly reducing Area 120 Idea Lab. A number of projects have been reorganized or discontinued. It is estimated that about half of the workforce in this group is affected. These employees will have to look for a new job.
Early in July, Pichai announced fewer new appointments in an internal memo. In it, the CEO of Google called on the workforce to work harder and be more entrepreneurial. Obviously, the goal is higher productivity. This also includes emergency brakes for projects that do not bode well. It was recently reported that Google has disbanded its Pixelbook team.
Space 120 as a breeding ground for new ideas
The area is 120 According to a Bloomberg report, Another section of Google was exposed to austerity measures. Idea Lab was founded in 2016 and has already launched a number of successful projects, such as trying out quick answers generated by artificial intelligence in messaging services. This is now part of Android in modified form.
However, Area 120 is a kind of test lab, and often the products developed there are quickly vaporized again. Experiments with virtual reality in advertising have come from this Google group – and it’s clear that they haven’t picked it up yet. The app that was created there to learn programming in a playful way, Grasshopper, is still around.
Google confirms savings in the area 120
Google confirmed these actions Opposite Take Crunch. “We recently announced that Area 120 will shift its focus to projects that build on Google’s extensive investment in AI and have the potential to solve critical user problems,” a Google spokesperson said. “As a result, Area 120 is suspending several projects to make room for new work. Affected team members receive personalized support as they explore new projects and opportunities at Google.”
According to TechCrunch, there were previously 14 projects underway in Area 120, which has now been reduced to seven. Affected employees have until the end of January 2023 to find new jobs within Google. Otherwise, they will have to leave the company. It is unclear how many will be.
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