Because the skills needed to build AI-driven tools are different from those used in traditional software.

Most of these cuts are happening in North America, but offices in Australia and India are also seeing significant reductions.

CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes explained that while AI isn't just a replacement for humans, it fundamentally shifts which roles are necessary for the business to grow.

• Users can now ask natural language questions like “Where can I charge my phone without waiting in line?”
• The AI searches across 300M+ businesses and 500M user reviews to recommend places.
• Results are personalized using your search history and context.

With 2B users, Maps is now more than navigation, it’s an AI recommendation engine for the local economy. The algorithm effectively decides which shops, restaurants, and services get visibility, potentially influencing real-world revenue.

• Immersive Navigation creates a 3D view of real streets using fresh Street View data.
• Drivers see lanes, traffic lights, crosswalks, and intersections highlighted on screen.
• Voice directions sound more natural, like guidance from a passenger.
• The system processes 5M+ traffic updates per second to explain route choices.
• At the destination, Maps highlights the exact entrance and nearby parking.