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Confirmed On Wednesday (28), Amazon’s Round of Layoffs Affects 16,000 People and Continues Cuts Announced at the End of October Last Year, When 14,000 Corporate Employees Departed. The Company Says It Aims for Agility in the AI Race, Reducing Hierarchies, Cutting Bureaucracy, and Reallocating Affected Employees Up to 90 Days Before Severance.
Amazon has initiated a new round of layoffs affecting 16,000 employees and confirmed the measure on Wednesday (28), framing the cut as part of a strategy to gain speed in the global race for leadership in AI. The move comes amid growing pressure for innovation, efficiency, and internal reorganization.
At the end of October last year, the company had already announced the dismissal of 14,000 corporate employees, following the guidance of CEO Andy Jassy. The logic now is to accelerate the transformation of work with generative AI and agents, changing teams, roles, and priorities, while a portion of employees tries to reallocate within the company.
Mass Layoffs Enter the Plan to Become “The Largest Startup in the World”
Amazon frames the layoff of 16,000 people as a measure to operate with more flexibility and agility.
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The internal guideline is to function as “the largest startup in the world,” with fewer layers and more autonomy, to react quickly to changes in the technology sector.
In CEO Andy Jassy’s view, the adoption of generative AI and agents will change routines and demands.
The company states that it will need fewer people for some current tasks and more people for other types of work, reallocating the workforce as technology advances.
AI at the Center of the Argument: Fewer Old Tasks, More New Roles
The company was direct in linking the restructuring to the impact of artificial intelligence on the way of working. The message is that today’s activities are expected to shrink, while new roles emerge focused on innovation, efficiency, and customer delivery.
The message for employees is one of forced transition, with part of the structure being streamlined and another part being strengthened, especially in areas deemed strategic for the future.
Corporate Blog Details the Internal “Cleanup” and Cut in Bureaucracy
In a post on the corporate blog, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Beth Galetti, stated that Amazon wants to simplify internal processes. The declared goal is to strengthen the organization with structural changes.
According to her, the company has been reducing hierarchical levels, increasing autonomy, and eliminating bureaucracy. The restructuring emerges as a redesign of how decisions are made, focusing on speed and execution.
“It Won’t Be Routine,” Says the Company, But Adjustments Remain on the Radar
Beth Galetti also tried to signal that mass layoffs should not become a recurring standard.
At the same time, she indicated that Amazon will continue to assess ownership, speed, and the ability to innovate for customers, making adjustments as necessary.
In practice, the message combines two points: cut now, constant recalibration later. And, despite the layoffs, the company asserts it will continue hiring in strategic areas and crucial roles for the future.
Corporate Workforce Size and the Weight of the Cut in Total
According to data obtained by CNN from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Amazon has more than 350,000 corporate employees.
Considering the two cited cuts, the estimate is that about 9% of this workforce will be affected.
This number gives a sense of the operation: it is not just a one-time adjustment, but a significant reduction within the company’s corporate sector.
90-Day Deadline for Internal Reallocation and Doubts About Impact in Brazil
The layoffs initiated on Wednesday (28) are said to have a 90-day deadline for internal reallocation. Those who are not repurposed during this period will receive severance and additional benefits, as informed.
In contact with the press, Amazon said it has no information about a possible impact of these layoffs on employees working in Brazil, keeping the local effect open while the reorganization progresses abroad.
With Amazon stating that AI will change work and cut roles, do you think other retail and tech giants will follow this same script by 2026?
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