Amazon expected to cut thousands of corporate jobs
Amazon is poised to announce a fresh round of layoffs as early as Tuesday, part of a broader restructuring that could ultimately shrink its corporate ranks by up to 30,000 roles—roughly 10 percent of its white-collar workforce—according to U.S. media reports. The move would follow the 14,000 corporate cuts made in October, about half of the company’s initial target, with at least 800 of those roles reportedly based in India, per Reuters.
What’s changing
Positions under review span multiple business units, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), the Retail organization, Prime Video, and People Experience and Technology (human resources). Sources indicate teams in India could see a disproportionate impact. The scope and timing remain fluid, and people familiar with the matter say plans could still shift.
Largest reduction since 2022
If the redundancies proceed at the scale discussed, they would mark Amazon’s largest job cuts since 2022, when the company eliminated about 27,000 positions across two waves. While many recent reductions across the tech sector have been linked to gains in automation and the growing use of artificial intelligence, Amazon’s leadership has framed the latest streamlining differently.
On a call discussing third-quarter earnings, CEO Andy Jassy told analysts the cuts were not “really financially driven, and it’s not even really AI-driven,” describing them instead as efforts to address cultural complexity and internal layers that had accumulated over time. “You end up with a lot more people than what you had before, and you end up with a lot more layers,” he said.
In 2025, Jassy also signaled that Amazon expected a gradual reduction in corporate headcount as efficiency gains from AI rollouts take hold—suggesting that technology-driven productivity would continue to reshape the company’s operating model, even if it isn’t the immediate rationale for today’s actions.
AI’s expanding footprint
Across the industry, enterprises are leaning on AI to speed software development, automate routine workflows, and sharpen cost discipline. Amazon is no exception: it has been building AI capabilities into both internal operations and customer-facing services. The company said yesterday that AWS signed a new agreement with Nationwide Building Society aimed at accelerating digital innovation, enhancing personalized experiences for its 17 million members, and strengthening security through cloud and AI-powered services.
Impact and what to watch
- Teams potentially affected: AWS, Retail, Prime Video, and People Experience and Technology, with particular sensitivity in India.
- Scale and timing: The breadth of the layoffs is still being finalized, and Amazon may refine its plans before an announcement.
- Strategic rationale: Leadership cites simplification and cultural streamlining; AI-related efficiency gains may influence longer-term staffing levels.
For employees, the near-term focus will be on which organizations are affected, the details of severance and redeployment options, and how the changes align with Amazon’s multi-year push to simplify operations while investing in cloud, media, and AI initiatives.
Amazon declined to provide additional detail ahead of any official announcement. More clarity is expected if the company moves forward this week.
