Amazon CEO Andy Jassy believes artificial intelligence will transform how work is done, inside and outside the company. During an interview with CNBC, Jassy labeled AI as the most transformational technology in our lifetime, although it both automates jobs and creates others. He affirmed that Amazon is already making mass hires in robotics and AI, with more than 500 robot-related applications even on LinkedIn. Whereas Jassy acknowledged that corporate jobs will decrease because of efficiencies boosted by AI, he placed much more weight on the idea that, as a result of AI, employee activities will also undergo an upgrade to discard routine tasks and realize higher-value activities all across the spectrum.
Robotics and AI- New Frontiers in Amazon Hiring
Amazon is investing heavily in AI and robotics talent. According to Andy Jassy, roles involving repetitive tasks are likely to shrink, but the company is actively hiring for positions that build and support AI systems. On LinkedIn, Amazon recently listed over 500 open positions with “robotics” in the title, from internships to senior scientist roles. These roles involve tasks like machine learning for robotic perception and building tools to visualize and debug robot behavior, signaling a shift toward a more automated fulfillment and logistics network.
The Amazon CEO also emphasized that AI agents will change how employees work across departments. “They won’t have to do as much rote work,” he explained. “Every single person gets to start every task at a more advanced starting spot.” This could mean using AI copilots for coding, analytics, and spreadsheet automation, drastically altering day-to-day responsibilities. Jassy’s comments follow his June 17 internal memo, where he wrote that AI-driven efficiencies could result in a reduced corporate workforce. While not specifying exact figures, he noted that it’s “hard to know exactly where this nets out.” His remarks suggest a future where Amazon balances automation with strategic job creation in high-tech sectors.
Workforce Uncertainty and Employee Backlash
Inside Amazon, not all employees are welcoming the AI systems transition. Following Jassy’s memo, internal Slack channels lit up with concern. Some workers criticized leadership for not taking shared accountability, while others interpreted the announcement as a prelude to layoffs. “There is nothing more motivating on a Tuesday than reading that your job will be replaced by AI in a few years,” one employee wrote, according to Business Insider. The Amazon CEO made clear that job reductions are on the cards, but at the same time, Amazon will also grow in the field of AI and robotics.
The company also has about 1.5 million employees all over the world and has already reduced the employment to nearly 28,000 since the year 2022. How will the Amazon CEO make a case that AI will create more jobs? This tension reflects a broader industry shift. Fiverr CEO Micha Kaufman recently told employees that AI threatens nearly every white-collar profession, from design to finance. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has gone further, warning that half of all entry-level office jobs could disappear. Jassy, however, remains optimistic. “AI will change the nature of every employee’s job,” he said. Whether that’s an opportunity or a warning depends on your role and how fast you adapt.
The Broader Implications of AI at Work
The AI transition at Amazon mirrors a growing divide in the tech world: automation’s power to eliminate jobs versus its promise to create better ones. Amazon CEO is betting on the latter, envisioning a workforce reshaped, not erased, by AI agents. But for many employees, especially in corporate roles, that vision comes with uncertainty. As AI replaces routine work, only those who upskill may survive the shift. What’s clear is that the future of work at Amazon, and in tech more broadly, will be defined by how AI is integrated, not if. For better or worse, the AI era is already here.
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