YouTube makes major move, offering buyouts to employees amid AI shift

YouTube is making giant strides in entertainment and advertising industry, but disruption caused by generative artificial intelligence have affected every company, and YouTube is no exception.

YouTube CEO Neal Mohan sent a letter to staff on Wednesday, October 29, stating the disruption and opportunity of AI as a basis for revamping the video streaming platform, and introducing an optional employee buyout program, offering employees a severance package who plan to leave the company.

A source tells The Hollywood Reporter that no roles are being eliminated as part of the changes, though voluntary separation programs can sometimes serve as a prelude to cuts later on.

The decision to offer buyouts comes the same week that Amazon announced plans to cut its workforce by 14,000 jobs, amid AI pressures.

YouTube will reorganize into three product units, each led by a top executive who reports directly to CEO Neal Mohan.

The three units and their leaders are

• Christian Oestlien will lead the Subscription products, alongside an oversight role of YouTube TV, YouTube Premium, YouTube Music, Primetime Channels, and other business lines.
• Johanna Voolich will led Viewer Products, focusing on YouTube’s mobile and living room apps, Trust & Safety, YouTube Kids, search infrastructure and core areas;
• Creator and community products, centered on supporting creators via YouTube Shorts and generative AI tools (a new leader is expected for this group).