SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 11, 2026, 05:43 (PST)
- According to an internal memo, Google is extending voluntary exit packages to select U.S. employees within its Global Business Organization.
- Chief business officer Philipp Schindler urged employees to adopt AI and adapt to the accelerated pace, but left out the large customer-facing sales teams.
- Alphabet recently posted record revenue for 2025, fueling its increased investment in AI infrastructure.
Google is rolling out voluntary exit packages to select employees within its Global Business Organization. The company’s chief business officer told staff they must be “all in” as Google intensifies its focus on artificial intelligence, according to a memo obtained by Business Insider. 1
This offer highlights how Google is opting for buyouts to restructure teams quietly, avoiding large-scale public layoffs amid the AI race that’s driving big tech to accelerate and invest heavily. A voluntary exit program, or VEP, rewards employees who choose to resign.
The memo noted that certain positions within the U.S. business unit might be eligible for voluntary departure with severance. It specifically excluded America’s sizable customer sales teams and other front-line roles, aiming to minimize any disruption for customers.
Schindler sent a blunt message in the email, saying the company is entering 2026 from a “strong position,” but warned that “the stakes are high.” He also told employees who aren’t “enjoying the pace we need to operate in” or who are “ready to move on” that the exit program is open.
Google’s Global Business Organization, which handles advertising products and drives global revenue growth, remains a delicate area to trim. Despite heavy investments in AI, the ad business continues to fund the majority of the company’s operations.
Alphabet announced on Feb. 4 that its 2025 revenue hit $402.8 billion, marking the first time the company surpassed the $400 billion mark in annual sales. Growth in Google Cloud and rising demand for AI services drove the boost. CEO Sundar Pichai also revealed plans for capital expenditures between $175 billion and $185 billion in 2026. 2
Alphabet’s shares slipped roughly 1.8% in premarket trading, with investors still grappling with the company’s hefty AI investments alongside its cost-control measures.
Over the past year, Google has offered comparable buyouts elsewhere in the company, tied to its return-to-office efforts and a distinct YouTube reorganization, according to Business Insider.
The latest cuts are hitting employees who might not align with Google’s push toward an “AI-first” strategy, the Times of India reported. This move appears to be part of a larger workforce overhaul. 3
According to India Today, this shift comes as major tech players like Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft also reshape their teams and strategies with AI in mind. The report highlights broad restructuring moves among these companies. 4
But buyouts can be a double-edged sword. Google hasn’t disclosed how many employees qualify, how many might accept, or if it would resort to involuntary layoffs if not enough people leave voluntarily. The company didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment, Business Insider reported.
The memo’s message was clear: the business unit needs people who can match its pace of change, and it’s ready to pay some to leave instead of prolonging the transition.
