"Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian claims AI will create more opportunities rather than replace tech jobs, even as Google faces AI-related layoffs."
Artificial intelligence continues to redefine the future of work. According to Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian, AI should be seen as a tool to augment human potential rather than a force that eliminates jobs. Yet, the reality across the tech sector shows a more complex picture — one where AI-driven automation coincides with notable workforce reductions.
AI as a Catalyst for Job Augmentation
Kurian has repeatedly emphasized that AI is designed to make humans more productive, not redundant. In several interviews, he highlighted that most Google clients using the Customer Engagement Suite have not laid off employees. Instead, they are redeploying staff to more complex and meaningful tasks, while AI handles routine queries.
- The Customer Engagement Suite automates basic customer questions, improving service response times.
- According to Kurian, businesses using these tools have reported higher customer satisfaction without staff reductions.
- Google CEO Sundar Pichai added that AI has improved engineering productivity by 10%, and over 30% of new code is now AI-generated — up from 25% earlier this year.
Layoffs and the Reality of AI Restructuring
Despite the optimistic message, Google has seen AI-related layoffs in recent months. In September 2025, more than 200 AI contractors working on Gemini chatbot and AI Overviews were let go. These workers, often referred to as “super raters,” were responsible for evaluating and training AI models to ensure quality and accuracy.
Many contractors expressed frustration, claiming they were “training the AI that replaced them.” While Google pointed to outsourcing firm GlobalLogic for the employment decisions, analysts believe the move reflects the growing automation of training roles.
| Layoff Detail | Impact | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 200+ AI contractors | Projects like Gemini & AI Overviews | Wired, HR ET |
| 50,000 tech layoffs in 2025 | Attributed to AI automation | Industry reports |
| 90% cost savings | AI Overview reduces query processing cost | Google internal data |
AI’s Role in Software Development
Across Google, AI has become an integral part of engineering workflows. Roughly one-fourth of new code is now generated using AI, demanding new skills from engineers to supervise and refine AI outputs. This shift has led to efficiency gains but also a net workforce reduction, as Google reported around 1,000 fewer employees compared to last year.
For Google, the trade-off appears to be fewer human coders but greater output. The company claims that these efficiency gains will help fund the creation of new, higher-value jobs in AI oversight, data science, and system design.
Balancing Opportunity and Displacement
While Kurian and Pichai continue to highlight the positive potential of AI, skepticism persists. Tech unions and analysts argue that AI could displace many roles in customer support, testing, and temporary contract work. The situation raises a key question: Is AI creating more opportunities than it eliminates?
“AI frees people from repetitive work and creates new possibilities — but it also removes jobs that AI quickly learns to master,” — Thomas Kurian.
The middle ground may lie in a future where human roles evolve alongside AI, focusing on creativity, decision-making, and ethical oversight.
FAQs
1. Is AI actually creating new jobs at Google?
Yes, but mostly in areas like AI research, ethics, and engineering support. However, some roles focused on data labeling and evaluation have declined.
2. How much of Google’s code is written by AI?
Over 30% of new code at Google is now generated using AI tools, showing how deeply AI is integrated into daily workflows.
3. Will AI replace customer service jobs?
Not entirely. AI handles simple queries, allowing human agents to focus on complex cases that require empathy and decision-making.
