Travel platform Expedia Group announced a restructuring that removed eight senior product and technology leaders, a move it linked to the rapid evolution of AI capabilities.
Leadership cuts tied to artificial intelligence strategy
Shilpa Ranganathan and Ramana Thumu wrote that the firm needed to accelerate, noting that AI had radically changed what was possible.
The memo explained that the organization was reshaping its product and technology groups to align engineering teams with the brands they serve.
Eight vice presidents and senior vice presidents were let go, including Sara Beckmann, Matt Esler, Amitabh Ghosh, Emil Riccardi, Ian Butcher, Shao Xie and Fiona Stevenson. Their LinkedIn profiles show they held product or technology roles. The memo also confirmed that senior team member Sachin Singh, who oversaw book‑to‑trip technology, will depart.
The travel firm said the majority of the changes involve shifts in reporting lines rather than outright eliminations. Some staff will move to different teams, while others will see their responsibilities realigned to support the AI vision.
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Broader reorganization and staffing numbers
According to the latest 10‑K filing, the organization employed roughly 16,000 people in almost 50 countries at the end of 2025. About half of that workforce was in technology roles as of Dec. 31.
Beyond the leadership exits, Expedia Group is consolidating “dedicated technology” and “product and technology” groups. Data, AI and agentic platforms now sit under chief data and AI officer Xavi Amatriain, while Rick Fast was promoted to chief architect.
Earlier in the year, the firm moved its B2B and global supply divisions under Alfonso Paredes, who was then named chief commercial officer and president of B2B. That shift preceded a series of layoffs announced in February 2024, when up to 1,500 jobs were slated for removal after CEO Peter Kern announced his departure.
In January, the organization cut an undisclosed number of roles, then hired for other positions. Those reductions followed a larger wave of layoffs in March 2025.
“Our primary goal is to bring teams closer to the work and decisions, we can move faster and deliver more impactful experiences for travelers and partners,” the statement read. The firm added that aligning talent with business priorities, especially those tied to its AI strategy, was a key driver of the changes.
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The memo highlighted the urgency of the AI push.
While the cuts focus on senior product and technology leaders, many mid‑level managers will see new reporting structures. The company said it expects the new layout to accelerate development cycles and improve the speed at which new features reach the market.
From a broader perspective, this reshuffle resembles previous tech‑focused realignments in the industry, where firms streamline leadership to cut through bureaucratic layers and push emerging technologies faster. The travel sector has seen similar moves after the pandemic, as companies try to balance cost pressures with the need to innovate.
Analysts note that the timing coincides with the firm’s claim, made during its second‑quarter earnings call, that it is investing both in AI that converts revenue and in experimental AI projects that have not yet proven their value.
Employees who remain in the consolidated “product and technology” unit will report to newly defined leaders, though the memo did not disclose all the names. The firm expects the reorganization to be complete by the end of the fiscal year.
