More than 200 subcontractors who tested Google’s Gemini AI were laid off after complaints about pay and conditions
Workers supplied by GlobalLogic say cuts followed organising and complaints; at least two have filed National Labor Relations Board complaints alleging retaliation.
More than 200 subcontractors who helped test Google’s Gemini chatbot were laid off last month after raising concerns about low pay and working conditions, according to reporting by Wired and other outlets.
The workers were employed through GlobalLogic and its subcontractors rather than by Alphabet, and were assigned to a "super rater" program that evaluated Gemini responses. The dismissals occurred in two abrupt waves, and at least two of the ousted workers have filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board alleging retaliation for raising workplace concerns.
Former and current contractors described being paid significantly less than in-house raters and subject to tightly timed tasks. Wired reported that GlobalLogic hired subcontractors through third parties at rates of $18 to $22 per hour, while in-house "super raters" reportedly earned $28 to $32 per hour. Some testers said assignments required advanced degrees, including a master’s or PhD, and focused on making Gemini’s answers sound more human.
"I was just cut off," Andrew Lauzon, one of the laid-off workers, told Wired. "I asked for a reason and they said ramp-down on the project — whatever that means." Another tester identified as "Alex" described work that had shifted from intellectually engaging to repetitive, telling the outlet they were often given only five minutes to complete individual tasks. "I don’t even keep count of how many I do in a day," Alex said. "I just focus more on the timer than anything else — it’s gone from mentally stimulating work to mind-numbing."
Wired reported the contractors were used to train an AI system that rates chatbot responses and that internal documents showed workers were concerned GlobalLogic planned to replace human testers with automated systems. The outsourcing firm reportedly implemented policies seen by some workers as efforts to thin its ranks, including a mandatory return-to-office requirement for contractors in Austin, Texas.
Google said the testers were temporarily assigned to provide feedback about its products and that their ratings were one of several metrics used to track Gemini’s performance. "These individuals are employees of GlobalLogic or their subcontractors, not Alphabet," a Google spokesperson said in a statement. "As the employers, GlobalLogic and their subcontractors are responsible for the employment and working conditions of their employees." GlobalLogic did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The layoffs come as Google and other tech companies intensify efforts to develop competitive AI chatbots. Google has faced scrutiny over Gemini’s tendency to produce incorrect or misleading statements, and the company has undertaken internal restructuring and workforce reductions in recent months. Some employees have been offered voluntary buyouts while the company has pushed for more on-site work from staff.
Organizing among the super raters had been growing. Wired reported that a union chapter of super raters counted 18 members in December 2024 and grew to about 60 by February 2025. Workers said GlobalLogic restricted internal communications and banned the use of social channels during work hours as the number of organizers increased.
At least two laid-off workers filed formal complaints with the NLRB alleging retaliation for raising concerns about pay and conditions; those filings could prompt an agency review. The affected contractors and the outsourcing firm are separate from Alphabet, which has said it relies on outside vendors for some testing work.
The episode highlights broader questions about the labor practices surrounding AI development, where companies often rely on large numbers of temporary or contract workers to label data, evaluate outputs and train models. Advocates and workers have increasingly pushed for clearer protections and higher pay for such roles as demand for AI training labor grows.
The NLRB complaints and media reporting are likely to increase scrutiny of outsourcing arrangements used in AI development. Google said the testers’ ratings were only one input into product evaluation and reiterated that employment conditions for those workers are the responsibility of GlobalLogic and its subcontractors.