Google staff criticise Pichai, call Bard launch ‘botched’

Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, is facing criticism from employees following the launch of the company’s new ChatGPT rival, Bard. According to CNBC, employees have taken to Google’s internal meme generator, Memegen, to voice their concerns and frustration.

One employee reportedly wrote, “Dear Sundar, the Bard launch and the layoffs were rushed, botched, and myopic.” Another employee criticized Pichai and other senior management, calling them “comically short-sighted and un-Googlely.”

The launch of Bard has been plagued with controversy, with many employees and industry experts questioning the company’s direction and approach. Some have criticized the company for rushing the launch and not thoroughly testing the product, resulting in numerous technical issues and bugs.

Google has always prided itself on being a company that values its employees and encourages an open and inclusive workplace culture. The recent launch of Bard and the associated layoffs have caused many employees to question this commitment.

Employees are also frustrated with the lack of transparency and communication from senior management. Many feel that they were not adequately informed about the launch of Bard and the accompanying layoffs, leaving them feeling blindsided and concerned about their future at the company.

The criticism from employees comes at a crucial time for Google, as it looks to compete with established players in the rapidly growing ChatGPT market. The launch of Bard was seen as a crucial step in this direction, but many employees feel that the company has failed to live up to its reputation and standards.

Google’s leadership is facing a tough challenge in trying to balance the company’s need to compete in the ChatGPT market with its commitment to its employees and values. The recent criticism from employees highlights the importance of clear communication and transparency in times of change and uncertainty.

In a statement, Google declined to comment on the criticism from employees. The company said, “We do not comment on internal discussions, but we value the input of all employees and are committed to fostering an open and inclusive workplace culture.”

The launch of Bard and the associated controversy is a reminder that the tech giant still has much to do in order to maintain its position as a leader in the industry and to continue to earn the trust and respect of its employees. It will be interesting to see how Google responds to the criticism and how it moves forward in the highly competitive ChatGPT market.