Amazon Cuts 15% of HR Jobs as AI Spending Continues

Core Insights - Amazon is planning significant job cuts across various corporate divisions, potentially affecting up to 15% of its HR staff and other areas of its consumer business [2][4] - The layoffs are part of Amazon's strategy to reduce employee costs while investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI) and expanding its cloud and AI datacenters, with a capital expenditure goal of over $100 billion this year [3][4] - This follows previous layoffs in other divisions earlier this year, and CEO Andy Jassy has indicated that the corporate workforce may continue to shrink as the company integrates AI into its operations [5][6] Group 1 - Amazon's job cuts could impact up to 15% of its HR staff and other consumer business areas [2] - The company is focusing on reducing employee costs while investing in AI, with plans to spend over $100 billion in capital expenditures this year [3] - Previous layoffs occurred in various divisions, including consumer devices and AWS, with the company still hiring in certain areas [4] Group 2 - CEO Andy Jassy has communicated that employees proficient in AI will be better positioned within the company, suggesting a shift in workforce dynamics [5] - Jassy described AI as the most transformative technology since the internet, indicating a long-term strategy for workforce reduction in favor of AI integration [5][6] - Research indicates that a significant portion of workers (54%) believe generative AI poses a risk of job displacement, with 38% expressing concerns about job elimination due to the technology [6]