The AI boom didn't stop Google from hiring nearly 12,000 people

Alphabet added 11,830 employees in the year through June 30, 2026, bringing total headcount to 198,933. The hiring came as revenue jumped 24% to $119.8 billion in the second quarter, driven by AI-related demand.

The biggest quarterly increase came in the three months through June, when the company added more than 4,000 workers, accounting for over a third of the net hiring over the past year.

The workforce expansion follows a period of cuts. Google laid off 12,000 workers in 2023 and has conducted smaller rounds since. Last week, roughly 4,500 employees signed a petition and rallied outside the company's headquarters, calling for stronger job protections, according to employee statements. The company has faced growing pressure from staff over job security, even as it invests heavily in AI.

Alphabet raised its 2026 capital expenditure outlook to between $195 billion and $205 billion, up from a prior estimate of up to $190 billion. The company said in its earnings release that demand for AI infrastructure continues to outpace available capacity.

The company did not specify which roles accounted for the hiring increase. It said it is prioritizing long-term AI growth and doubling down on its AI buildout.

The capex raise and hiring show that Alphabet is investing heavily in AI infrastructure even as it grows its workforce. The next quarterly report, due in October, will reveal whether the spending pace continues.