Google expands employee buyout programme to five countries as AI takes priority

Google has expanded its voluntary employee buyout programme to five countries as the technology giant restructures its workforce and redirects resources towards artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing.

The programme, rolled out in June 2025, covers employees in Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Switzerland. It offers eligible workers financial incentives to leave the company voluntarily as Google seeks to streamline operations and control costs amid increasing investments in emerging technologies.