UPDATED: Google is overhauling their internal learning program in favour of teaching its employees how to use modern AI tools in their daily work routines.
The company’s previous learning service, Grow, offered a range of courses, including how to use a 3D printer, build products, manage personal finance, and even solve a Rubik’s Cube. Primarily, AI-related courses have replaced these courses.
Employees previously enrolled in Grow courses were notified recently that they would be cancelled and materials would be archived, according to CNBC.
The platform has more than 500,000 users and over its 10 years of existence was considered a unique perk of working at Google.
“We have an active learning culture with numerous in-house courses tied to company priorities, along with generous educational reimbursement,” a Google spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
“Our internal course offerings have ballooned since we launched it ten years ago, and we’re refreshing Grow to help employees find the most relevant learning opportunities.”
Those who created the courses were sent a memo from Google leaders who wrote that many of the courses are currently unused and irrelevant the work the company did today.
“Those that orgs have confirmed are up-to-date and focused on business priorities will still be available,” wrote Google’s people operations staff.
This underscores Google’s attempts to compete with new AI chat bots like OpenAI, which launched in 2022.
The move also shows Google moving towards more business-essential offerings as it streamlines operations to priotise AI.
This includes streamlining head count and employee benefits, including layoffs and falling in line with President Donald Trump’s diversity, equity and inclusion executive orders.
In its latest effort to reduce headcount, Google has offered buyouts to employees across several divisions.
The voluntary exit program applies to U.S.-based employees, with some teams mandating office returns for office workers who live within 50 miles of an office.
“Earlier this year, some of our teams introduced a voluntary exit program with severance for U.S.-based Googlers, and several more are now offering the program to support our important work ahead,” Google spokesperson Courtenay Mencini wrote in an emailed statement to CNBC.
Some of the affected units include knowledge and information, central engineering units and marketing.
