Amazon will cut around 100 positions in its devices and services division, which includes Alexa voice assistant and Kindle e-reader.

The layoffs are part of efforts to boost efficiency and realign with the company’s product plans.

Amazon spokeperson said affected staff will receive support during the transition period.

These cuts follow CEO Andy Jassy’s broader layoff plan that began in 2022, which has eliminated 27,000 roles.

As of March 31, 2025, Amazon’s workforce numbered 1.56 million employees, reflecting a 3% increase from the previous year, primarily due to its hourly logistics staff.

🔗 Source: Bloomberg

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Amazon’s cyclical workforce management reflects its efficiency-driven culture

Amazon’s latest 100-person reduction follows a pattern of strategic workforce adjustments that has become characteristic of the company under CEO Andy Jassy’s leadership.

The 2022 cuts that eliminated 27,000 positions represented Amazon’s largest-ever corporate workforce reduction, but smaller targeted cuts have continued across departments including communications and now devices [original article].

This approach aligns with Amazon’s retention strategies, including their controversial “The Offer” program that pays employees up to $5,000 to quit, designed to regularly cycle out disengaged workers 1.

These practices reflect a company philosophy that views high employee turnover (reported at approximately 150% annually for warehouse workers) as potentially beneficial rather than problematic 2.

The focus on constantly optimizing workforce composition has been criticized for prioritizing efficiency over employee welfare, with reports highlighting issues around working conditions and pay accuracy affecting thousands of workers 2.

2️⃣ Tech industry layoffs accelerate amid AI investment surge

Amazon’s devices division cuts are part of a much broader tech industry workforce reduction trend, with over 52,340 workers laid off across 123 tech companies in 2025 alone 3.

Despite these widespread cuts, tech companies including Amazon are simultaneously investing heavily in AI capabilities, as demonstrated by Amazon’s recent launch of Alexa+, a generative AI-powered upgrade to its virtual assistant 4.