Guan Cha Zhe Wang·2025-11-11 03:23Core Viewpoint - The recent announcement of Amazon's plan to lay off up to 30,000 employees has sparked significant discussion about the impact of AI on employment, contrasting the situation in China where major companies are still in expansion mode [1][2][6]. Group 1: Amazon's Layoff Plan - Amazon's layoff plan, the largest since the financial crisis, involves 14,000 officially reported layoffs, but reports suggest the number could reach 30,000, nearly 10% of its 350,000 white-collar employees [2][4]. - The layoffs are framed by Amazon's CEO Andy Jassy as a correction to overhiring during the pandemic, despite the company's strong performance, with Q3 2025 revenue up 13% to $180.2 billion and net profit up 39% to $21.2 billion [2][9]. - The layoffs are seen as a strategic restructuring to reallocate resources towards expensive generative AI initiatives, potentially benefiting companies like Nvidia [5][9]. Group 2: AI's Role in Employment - AI's development is cited as a factor giving Amazon the confidence to reduce its workforce, with Jassy indicating that AI efficiency improvements would lead to fewer labor needs [5]. - Other companies, such as Chegg and Salesforce, have also linked layoffs directly to AI, with Chegg cutting 45% of its workforce and Salesforce eliminating 4,000 customer service positions [5]. - The narrative around AI in the U.S. emphasizes efficiency and profit maximization, often at the expense of social responsibility, leading to a focus on "AI replacing humans" [9][17]. Group 3: Comparison with China - In contrast to the U.S., Chinese companies have not experienced large-scale layoffs due to AI, with many, like Alibaba, announcing plans for significant hiring [6][10]. - The Chinese approach to AI emphasizes social value and empowerment rather than solely profit, with companies like iFlytek focusing on enhancing the skills and income levels of the general workforce [10][15]. - The differences in AI development paths between the U.S. and China reflect broader cultural and market choices, with the U.S. prioritizing elite tools and efficiency, while China focuses on inclusive empowerment [17][24].