Amazon has confirmed plans to reduce its global corporate workforce by approximately 14,000 roles, citing the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on business operations. Earlier reports suggested the company might cut as many as 30,000 positions.
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Beth Galetti, Amazon's senior vice president, stated that the reductions are part of a strategy to "shift resources to ensure we're investing in our biggest bets and what matters most to our customers' current and future needs." She added that AI allows businesses to "innovate much faster than ever before" and that the company aims to operate "more leanly, with fewer layers and more ownership."
Amazon will support affected employees with up to 90 days to apply for internal roles, with recruitment prioritising internal candidates. CEO Andy Jassy had previously warned that the rise of AI tools would likely result in job losses, as the company increasingly integrates automation and AI technologies.
This announcement follows reports that Amazon's warehouses now employ more robots than human workers and underscores the company's long-term investment in AI as a core driver of operational efficiency and innovation.
Source: www.retailgazette.co.uk
