Google has had a record-breaking year. But behind the big numbers, a major shift is underway. Alphabet, Google’s parent company, recently crossed $400 billion in revenue in 2025. Yet instead of slowing down to celebrate, Google is speeding up, and it wants its employees to move just as fast. The message is clear: get fully aligned with the company’s AI-first strategy, or consider taking a voluntary exit package. Google is going “all in” on AI In an internal memo sent to employees, Chief Business Officer Philipp Schindler made the company’s position clear. He said teams need to be fully committed to Google’s growing focus on artificial intelligence. Schindler wrote: We’re starting the year in a strong position thanks to everything you accomplished in 2025, but the game is dynamic, the pace is electric, and the stakes are high.
He stressed that everyone in the Global Business Organisation (GBO) must be “all in” and “embracing” AI to make a bigger impact. Google believes AI is no longer just a new technology, it is the core of its future products, ads, cloud services, and business tools. What is the voluntary exit programme (VEP)? For employees who feel they are not comfortable with the fast pace or new direction, Google is offering a Voluntary Exit Programme (VEP).
Schindler told staff that if they were not “enjoying” the current speed of work or were “ready to move on,” they could opt for a buyout package instead of staying. The offer mainly applies to teams under the Global Business Organisation (GBO). These teams handle: However, not everyone qualifies. Customer-facing sales teams in the US and other roles directly dealing with clients are not eligible for the buyout. Google says this decision was made to avoid disrupting customer relationships. “While all GBO functions are essential to our long-term strategy, we’ve decided not to offer VEP for these particular roles to limit as much disruption to our customers as possible,” Schindler wrote. Also read: Made-in-India ‘Sarvam AI’ beats ChatGPT and Gemini
How much is Google offering?
At the moment, Google has not officially disclosed the severance amount for this round. However, reports from last year suggest that similar buyouts included: It remains unclear whether the current offer follows the same structure. Why do companies offer buyouts instead of layoffs? Buyouts are often seen as a softer alternative to mass layoffs. They help companies: Google has used this strategy before. In 2025, employees in Knowledge Information teams and central engineering were offered voluntary exits. YouTube teams also received similar offers during restructuring. Also read: AI-generated content for educational purposes will not require labelling
Big tech’s AI race is getting intense Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta are also restructuring teams and pushing employees to develop AI skills. Some companies have made it clear that leadership roles now require strong AI understanding. Across the tech industry, one thing is obvious: AI is no longer optional. Companies are rapidly integrating AI into search engines, ads, cloud platforms, customer tools, and internal systems. Employees are expected to adapt, learn new tools, and work at a faster pace. What this means for tech professionals For professionals, especially in countries like India, where many work with global tech firms, this shift is significant. AI skills are quickly becoming essential for career growth, leadership opportunities, and long-term job stability.
The industry is evolving rapidly, and companies now want teams that are prepared for “high-speed, high-stakes” work.
‘Google AI shift’ is currently trending on Google Trends
Google AI shift is trending on Google Trends as the company offers voluntary exit packages to select business teams. The move, aimed at aligning employees with its AI-focused strategy, was announced by Chief Business Officer Philipp Schindler in an internal memo. Amid broader tech layoffs, the decision has sparked industry-wide buzz and a surge in online searches. Source: Google Trends
