Google cut 12,000 employees (6% of workforce) — largest in company history at that point. CEO Sundar Pichai: 'I take full responsibility.' Hiring surge during COVID years reversed. Sets stage for Google's AI-first reorganization: subsequent years see continued smaller rolling cuts as Gemini development reprioritizes teams.

6% of global workforce cut — largest in Google history. CEO Sundar Pichai cited need to sharpen focus and direct capital to 'highest priorities' including AI.