Amazon announced a reduction of 14,000 corporate positions, about 4% of its roughly 350,000 corporate employees, as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and accelerate investment in artificial intelligence.
The layoffs span a range of corporate functions, including advertising, recruitment, payments, devices, Fire TV, customer behavior analytics, Audible, Amazon Web Services, Prime Video, Twitch, and Alexa units, according to internal communications.
Affected employees will receive full pay and benefits for 90 days and a severance package, as confirmed by Senior Vice President Beth Galetti, who also noted that the company will provide outplacement services and health insurance coverage for those who do not secure internal roles.
The decision follows a larger round of 27,000 corporate layoffs in late 2022 and early 2023, making the current reduction the second‑largest in Amazon’s history. The company’s total global workforce stands at approximately 1.56 million, so the cuts represent a modest share of the overall employee base.
CEO Andy Jassy has emphasized that Amazon aims to operate more like a startup, reducing bureaucracy and leveraging AI to drive efficiency. The layoffs are part of that strategy, with the company planning to continue trimming layers into 2026.
Amazon is simultaneously investing billions in AI infrastructure, including new data center projects, while maintaining a large seasonal hiring push for fulfillment and logistics operations during the holiday season.
The layoffs reflect a broader trend in the technology sector, as companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Google, Salesforce, and Intel also reduce headcount to focus on AI‑driven growth.
The company’s strict return‑to‑office policy, which did not result in the expected voluntary departures, also contributed to the decision.
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