Amazon has announced plans to eliminate approximately 14,000 corporate positions globally as part of a sweeping internal restructuring aimed at accelerating its investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and streamlining operations. The move, confirmed on October 28, 2025, marks one of the largest rounds of layoffs in the company’s history.
The cuts will affect roles across multiple divisions, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), devices and services, human resources, and operations, according to a memo from Beth Galetti, Senior Vice President of People Experience and Technology. While the company continues to post strong financial results—reporting over $86 billion in gross profit in Q2 2025—executives say the restructuring is necessary to remain agile in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
“This generation of AI is the most transformative technology we’ve seen since the Internet,” Galetti wrote. “It’s enabling companies to innovate much faster than ever before. We’re convicted that we need to shift resources to our biggest bets.”
The layoffs come as Amazon intensifies its focus on generative AI, with CEO Andy Jassy previously stating that AI tools would allow the company to operate more efficiently and reduce reliance on human labor in certain functions. The company has also emphasized its goal of “operating like the world’s largest startup,” a phrase repeated in internal communications.
While the job cuts represent a small fraction of Amazon’s global workforce—estimated at over 1.5 million employees—they are concentrated in high-skill, white-collar roles. The impact on Amazon’s UK workforce, which includes more than 75,000 employees, remains unclear, with affected staff expected to be notified individually.
Industry analysts note that Amazon’s move reflects a broader trend among tech giants, many of which are recalibrating their workforce structures to prioritize AI development and reduce bureaucratic overhead. The company has not ruled out further reductions as it continues to evaluate its long-term strategic priorities.
