More than 200 contractors working on Google’s AI products were laid off last month, according to workers interviewed by Wired.

These workers, employed by GlobalLogic and other outsourcing firms, were responsible for evaluating and improving AI responses for products like the Gemini chatbot and AI Overviews.

GlobalLogic, owned by Hitachi, manages teams of “super raters” with advanced degrees and “generalist raters” for Google’s AI evaluation tasks, with most raters based in the US.

Some workers said the layoffs came without warning, with project ramp-down cited as the reason.

Workers told Wired that pay disparities existed between GlobalLogic super raters and those hired through third-party contractors.

Several workers alleged that conditions such as low pay, lack of job security, and mandatory office returns have affected morale.

Some contractors claimed their attempts to unionize were quashed, and two have filed complaints with the US National Labor Relations Board, alleging unfair dismissal.

A Google spokesperson said the workers are employed by GlobalLogic or its subcontractors, and that Google audits suppliers for compliance.

🔗 Source: Wired

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