Amazon to cut 14,000 corporate jobs in AI push

Amazon will cut around 14,000 corporate jobs as part of a company-wide reorganization, according to an internal message shared on October 28, 2025.

The company said the move is aimed at reducing bureaucracy, removing management layers, and shifting resources to priority areas.

Amazon will provide affected employees with support, with most given 90 days to find new roles within the company, though the timing may vary by local laws, and severance packages for those who leave.

The company expects to continue hiring in strategic roles in 2026, despite the overall reduction.

Amazon said these changes reflect the need to operate more efficiently and respond to rapid changes in technology, especially in AI.

The company has not specified which departments or regions will be most affected by the job cuts.

🔗 Source: Amazon

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Amazon layoffs seem to hit retail and middle management first

Over 80% of the first 7,500 layoff notices hit retail at Amazon 1. Teams hit include e-commerce and human resources (HR). Logistics and advertising were also cut. Recruiting, payments, and devices saw losses 1.
More than 78% of the cuts hit managers at levels 5 to 7 (Amazon’s internal job bands for junior to senior managers) 1. The pattern signals a push to trim layers while keeping product work.
AWS, which grew 17.5% last quarter 2, saw few cuts so far 1. Some staff fear a new round early next year 1.
The split signals leaner retail operations 1. Amazon is still spending on AI and cloud 2. It runs over 1,000 generative AI projects and pledged $10 billion for new data centers in North Carolina 2.

Layoffs send many mid-level managers into the job market

Up to 14,000 corporate staff are entering the market 1. Many were managers at levels 5 to 7 1.
Cuts span the US, Canada, and Europe 1. Local pools are forming near Amazon hubs 1.
Most affected employees get a 90-day internal search window with full pay and benefits 2. Severance starts if they do not land a new role inside the company 2.
CEO Andy Jassy said generative AI will shrink the corporate workforce over the next few years 2.