AI's Impact: Layoffs Hit Those Building the Very Systems
It seems the AI revolution is taking a toll, and not just on the jobs we thought it would. I'm talking about the very people building these AI systems – they're facing layoffs too. According to recent reports, over 200 individuals working on Google's AI projects, including Gemini and AI Overviews, have been let go. And they aren't alone; similar "restructuring" has hit employees at xAI and Meta.
Apparently, a large chunk of those affected at Google were contractors, many working for GlobalLogic, a Hitachi-owned company. Their main gig? Ensuring the quality of AI responses. These weren't just random folks; many held advanced degrees and were experts in their fields. It's a bit ironic, isn't it? Experts getting the boot so AI can take over.
Some speculate these layoffs were due to worker protests over pay and job security. Others suggest GlobalLogic might be developing an AI system to automate the rating process itself. So, AI moderating AI... it's a wild thought, but also feels inevitable. If it's true, it also feels like some kind of recursion error.
Elon Musk's xAI also recently cut at least 500 data annotators. Meta, after investing in Scale AI, also reduced its staff. Even Meta itself is considering downsizing its AI department as priorities shift in the frantic AI race.
It's hard not to notice the disparity. On one hand, we see massive job losses among those doing the essential data work. On the other, AI specialists are getting showered with million-dollar offers. It seems that the people at the top always benefit more than the people at the bottom, but I can't help but feel that it shouldn't be this way, or at least not so flagrantly.
Source: Gizmodo