The move to downsize comes after another Alphabet subsidiary Verily decided to lay off around 240 employees this week. Credit: Lee Charlie / Shutterstock Layoffs at Alphabet’s “Other Bets” division has widened to include its robotics subsidiary Intrinsic AI, which is eliminating about 20% of its workforce or roughly 40 employees, according to reports. Intrinsic AI came out of Alphabet’s X research unit, after incubating there for close to five years. It is a robotics firm that is working on developing artificial intelligence-based software to bolster the use of robots in industries and commercial environments. The news about the company’s layoffs was first report by The Information. An email sent to Intrinsic AI didn’t immediately receive a response. Last month, Intrinsic acquired OSRC, the commercial arm of Open Robotics. A post on TeamBlind’s professional network claims that the decision to layoff staffers was decided right after the acquisition as the company needed to maintain employee headcount. The first of Alphabet layoffs came this week from the company’s life sciences subsidiary Verily as part of its One Verily program, under which it eliminated 240 roles amounting to 15% of its 1,600-strong workforce to simplify its operating model. The downsizing at Intrinsic seems to follow the philosophy of the One Verily program as the robotics firm hinted at accelerating commercial success while discussing the layoffs. “This (downsizing) decision was made in light of shifts in prioritization and our longer-term strategic direction. It will ensure Intrinsic can continue to allocate resources to our highest priority initiatives, such as building our software and AI platform, integrating the recent strategic acquisitions of Vicarious and OSRC (commercial arm Open Robotics), and working with key industry partners,” according to a company statement sent to media. Alphabet and its employees have been under pressure to generate more revenue since July last year when the company declared a hiring freeze. The freeze was followed by the launch of the Simplicity Sprint program to boost staff efficiency and productivity as the company posted weaker-than-expected revenue for two consecutive quarters. Layoffs at technology companies began around August last year and has continued in the first weeks of January this year with large companies such as Amazon and Salesforce firing close to 26,000 employees. (This story has been updated to change attribution for Intrinsic’s media statement.) Related content news How many jobs are available in technology in the US? Tech unemployment was down slightly in April, but AI hiring was up — way up. And job listings showed more signs of a shift in recruiting practices with a growing emphasis on skill-based hiring. By Lucas Mearian May 06, 2024 159 mins Remote Work Salaries Financial Services Industry news With its new iPad, Apple's Empire strikes back Apple is preparing to introduce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models as it seeks to regain momentum in the tablet market. By Jonny Evans May 06, 2024 5 mins iPad Apple Tablets opinion Can AI tools help reduce Zoom fatigue? When it comes to meetings, whether in person or on video, can anything make them better? Yes, but it’s not the technology. By Steven Vaughan-Nichols May 06, 2024 5 mins Augmented Reality Generative AI Zoom Video Communications news analysis Apple earnings: About that iPhone 'slump' in China Based on information from Thursday's earnings report, it seems that data pointing to an iPhone slump in China were over-baked. By Jonny Evans May 03, 2024 9 mins iMac iPhone Apple Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe