Amazon Cuts 16,000 Jobs Globally Amid AI Push, Marking Second Round of Layoffs in Three Months

Amazon has launched a fresh wave of layoffs, cutting approximately 16,000 jobs globally in what marks the company’s second round of workforce reductions in just three months. The move comes as the e-commerce and cloud computing giant continues to roll back pandemic-era hiring and sharpen its focus on Artificial Intelligence-driven growth.

The latest job cuts were confirmed on Wednesday, January 28, through an official blog post by Amazon’s Chief People Officer, Beth Galetti. With this announcement, Amazon’s total workforce reduction over the past year has climbed significantly, underscoring the scale of the company’s internal restructuring.

According to Amazon, the layoffs are part of broader organisational changes aimed at simplifying operations, reducing layers of management, and improving decision-making speed. The company noted that while several teams completed restructuring efforts in late 2024, others finalised their changes only recently, leading to the current round of cuts.

“As I shared back in October, we’ve been working to improve how our organisation operates by removing layers, increasing ownership, and reducing bureaucracy,” Galetti wrote. “While many teams completed their organisational changes in October, some teams did not finish that work until now.”

Galetti acknowledged the impact of the decision, stating that approximately 16,000 roles across Amazon would be affected. “We’re working hard to support everyone whose role is impacted by the reductions we are making today,” she added.

In the United States, most affected employees will be given a 90-day window to explore internal job opportunities within Amazon. The timeline for employees in other countries will vary depending on local Labour Laws and regulatory requirements.

The layoffs primarily affect Amazon’s corporate workforce, including teams across technology, retail, cloud services, media, and internal support functions. Media reports indicate that the company is largely cutting white-collar roles, with departments such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), retail operations, Prime Video, and human resources among those impacted.

Frontline and fulfilment centre roles are largely unaffected by the current round of job cuts, reflecting Amazon’s continued reliance on its logistics and delivery infrastructure.

Despite the reductions, Amazon emphasised that it will continue hiring selectively in areas critical to its long-term strategy. “We’ll keep hiring and investing in important areas and services that are essential to our future,” Galetti said. “We’re still in the early stages of building each of our businesses, and there’s significant opportunity ahead.”

Employees who are unable to transition to new internal roles, or who choose not to pursue them, will receive transition support. This includes severance pay, outplacement assistance, and health benefits where applicable. “For teammates who are unable to find a new role at Amazon or who choose not to look for one, we’ll provide transition support including severance pay, outplacement services, health insurance benefits, and more,” Galetti wrote.

Amazon’s Total Job Cuts Near 30,000

This latest round of layoffs brings Amazon’s total job reductions over the past year to nearly 30,000 employees. The company had already eliminated around 14,000 roles by the end of 2025, as part of its ongoing efforts to recalibrate its workforce following rapid expansion during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In total, the recent job cuts now exceed the 27,000 layoffs announced in 2023, highlighting the scale of Amazon’s reset as it prioritises efficiency, cost discipline, and strategic investments—particularly in artificial intelligence and automation.