Amazon has announced plans to lay off about 14,000 corporate employees this year as part of its effort to prepare for a future shaped by artificial intelligence. The company said it would still hire people in important areas and give preference to those losing their jobs, but more layoffs could follow.
Beth Galetti, Amazon’s senior vice president for people experience, said the company aims to become leaner and more efficient to keep up with fast changes in technology. She added that Amazon wants to stay flexible and move quickly as AI continues to transform the tech world.
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Reports suggest that the total number of job cuts could rise to as many as 30,000. Amazon currently employs over 350,000 corporate workers, so the cuts represent around 4 percent of its total staff. Layoffs will start Tuesday, and most affected employees will have 90 days to apply for new internal positions. Those who are unable to find new roles will receive severance pay and other benefits.
CEO Andy Jassy has said that AI will eventually reduce the need for some jobs while creating new ones. He believes AI will change how people work and live, with intelligent systems becoming part of nearly every field.
This is not the first time Amazon has reduced its workforce. In 2023, the company cut about 27,000 jobs due to economic pressures. Analysts say the latest layoffs reflect Amazon’s focus on efficiency and its shift from human labor toward greater reliance on technology and automation.
