The e-commerce giant Amazon intends to eliminate approximately 30,000 corporate positions, with the workforce reduction set to commence on Tuesday, according to media reports cited by CNN.
The workforce reduction would affect close to 10% of Amazon's office employees, occurring as artificial intelligence technological developments fuel anxiety regarding white-collar employment and US labor market data reveals increasing vulnerability, CNN reported.
Initial disclosure of the planned workforce elimination came from Reuters, CNN noted.
Corporate employee headcount at Amazon exceeds 350,000 individuals, based on documentation the company submitted to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2024, according to CNN.
During June, Amazon Chief Executive Officer Andy Jassy communicated to staff through a blog post that "efficiency gains from artificial intelligence would allow the company to eventually have a reduced human workforce," CNN reported.
The current workforce reduction does not represent Amazon's inaugural large-scale employment elimination, CNN stated.
During 2023, the technology corporation terminated 27,000 employees across its human resources division, Amazon Stores operation, Amazon Web Services unit, and additional departments, according to CNN.
At that time, Jassy connected the employment terminations to deteriorating worldwide economic conditions, CNN noted.
The workforce eliminations arrive as employment data across the US has demonstrated concerning indicators for multiple months, particularly affecting younger technology sector workers, CNN reported.
Significant apprehension exists that generative artificial intelligence technology may ultimately displace numerous human employees as corporations pursue cost reductions through expanded automation, according to CNN.
Nevertheless, artificial intelligence researchers indicate substantial evidence does not support many such concerns, CNN stated
