‘AI is the next big step…’: YouTube CEO Neal Mohan announces ‘voluntary exit program’ for human staff to match its growing focus on AI

YouTube is carrying out a major internal reorganization to strengthen its focus on artificial intelligence, CEO Neal Mohan announced.

YouTube is getting ready for a major change that will put artificial intelligence at the heart of everything it does. As part of this plan, the company has offered some of its US employees voluntary exit packages,  a sign of a big reorganization led by CEO Neal Mohan. In a message to staff, Mohan explained that YouTube is reshaping its product division for the first time in a decade to match its growing focus on AI. While no one is being laid off, the voluntary buyouts show YouTube’s aim to simplify its teams and get ready for a future where AI will have a bigger role in creating videos, suggesting content, and improving user experience.

A YouTube spokesperson told CNBC, “AI is the next big step for YouTube.” The move follows parent company Google’s broader effort to bring AI into all its products, with CEO Sundar Pichai encouraging employees to use AI tools to work faster and more efficiently.

Under the new setup, YouTube’s product division will be split into three main groups i.e. Viewer Products, Creator & Community Products, and Subscription Products, all reporting directly to CEO Neal Mohan. Each group will handle a different part of YouTube’s ecosystem, helping the company make decisions faster and invest more effectively in key areas.

Johanna Voolich, YouTube’s Chief Product Officer, will lead the Viewer Products team. This division will look after the main YouTube app, Search and Discovery, YouTube Kids, Learning, Living Room (TV experience), and Trust and Safety — basically everything that shapes how people watch and explore content. Mohan said the team’s goal is to grow YouTube’s presence on TVs and continue strengthening its commitment to user safety and responsibility.

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The Subscriptions team, headed by Christian Oestlien, will manage YouTube Music and Premium, YouTube TV, Primetime Channels, Podcasts, and Commerce. Subscriptions have become one of YouTube’s biggest sources of income, with more than 125 million paying users across its Premium and YouTube TV services.