Amazon Denies Job Cuts Amid Automation Claims

Amazon has pushed back against claims regarding potential job cuts, especially following a report suggesting the company intends to replace over 600,000 U.S. jobs with automation. The New York Times shared insights last week from internal documents indicating that Amazon aims to avoid new hires by enhancing its automated systems. In a response to Blaze News, Amazon insisted that “leaked documents often present an incomplete and misleading view” of the company’s strategies and stated that the information doesn’t align with its broader hiring approach.

However, just a few days later, Amazon announced plans to reduce its workforce.

According to Reuters, the company is preparing to eliminate up to 30,000 corporate positions as a strategy to “cut costs” following overexpansion during the pandemic’s peak demand. Three sources reportedly provided insights to the media concerning these layoffs.

In a statement to Blaze News, Amazon noted that around 14,000 positions will be removed, without mentioning the additional 16,000 cuts. The company stressed that these reductions are not connected to the previous report by The New York Times, although a spokesperson pointed out that the context of the article was about “future employment opportunities for hourly staff within our operations.”

Additionally, while emphasizing that the recent cuts weren’t tied to automation, the spokesperson refrained from discussing any potential implications of replacement via technology.

Amazon further announced that it will provide “most employees” with a 90-day timeframe to seek new positions within the company and will prioritize internal candidates to assist as many as possible in transitioning to new roles.

Meanwhile, the company acknowledged the importance of “organizing more efficiently” in light of upcoming changes associated with AI implementation. Beth Galetti from Amazon commented, “This generation of AI represents the most revolutionary advancement since the Internet, allowing businesses to innovate quicker than before.” She added that it’s essential for Amazon to streamline its structure, focusing on fewer layers and increased ownership.

Despite recent layoffs, Amazon indicated plans to continue hiring in “key strategic areas” moving into 2026, while seeking more efficient operations.

While the company has touted initiatives for holiday hiring, aiming to fill about 250,000 roles, it has strayed from discussing details about automation in its communications. Moreover, it has refuted claims suggesting that there were directives against using terms like “automation” and “AI” in relation to their robotics efforts.