Amazon Cuts 30,000 Jobs Amid Hiring Plans, AWS CEO Addresses AI Impact
Massive layoffs, shocking pivot: Amazon cuts 30,000 jobs, yet AWS CEO insists AI isn’t replacing workers — so what’s the real story?
The Economic TimesImage: The Economic Times
Amazon has recently laid off approximately 30,000 employees while simultaneously planning to hire around 11,000 software developers and interns by 2026. AWS CEO Matt Garman asserts that AI is not replacing jobs but transforming them, allowing developers to focus on more complex tasks.
- 01Amazon has cut about 30,000 jobs over recent months.
- 02The company plans to hire around 11,000 software developers and interns by 2026.
- 03AWS CEO Matt Garman claims AI is changing job roles, not eliminating them.
- 04AI tools are taking over repetitive tasks, allowing engineers to focus on complex responsibilities.
- 05Despite layoffs, demand for skilled developers is increasing within Amazon.
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Amazon has recently faced scrutiny after laying off approximately 30,000 employees over the past few months, including 16,000 roles in January and another 14,000 towards the end of 2025. Despite these cuts, the company plans to hire around 11,000 software development interns and full-time employees by 2026. AWS CEO Matt Garman addressed concerns regarding the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on job security, stating that AI is not replacing jobs but rather changing the nature of work. He emphasized that AI is automating repetitive tasks, allowing developers to focus on more complex responsibilities. Garman noted that tasks that previously took weeks can now be completed in minutes with AI assistance, which accelerates development timelines rather than shrinking teams. The overall message from Amazon's leadership is one of continued hiring and growth in demand for skilled developers, despite the recent layoffs.
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The job cuts may lead to increased unemployment in the tech sector, but the planned hiring could provide new opportunities for software developers.
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