Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon.com Inc., says he expects the company's workforce to decline over the next few years as the retail and cloud computing giants use artificial intelligence to handle more tasks.
In an email to employees on Tuesday, Jassy said that software agents with generated AI and AI “should change the way they work.”
“There are fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today, and more people doing other kinds of jobs,” Jassy writes. “It will be difficult to know exactly where this is online over time, but over the next few years, this is expected to reduce the total workforce of businesses.
Since the start of the AI boom, people in and outside the industry have been concerned about the possibility that artificial intelligence could replace workers. These concerns are only growing to tech companies implement more sophisticated AI systems that allow them to write code and field online tasks on behalf of their users.
Shopify Inc. told employees that requests for new personnel would require explanations about why AI cannot do their job. Duolingo Inc. said it will use contractors to “slow down” and do work that artificial intelligence can handle. Microsoft Corp. recently announced a round of layoffs that will attack software developers the most strongly.
Openai Rival Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei recently warned that AI could wipe out half of all entry-level white-collar jobs and spike unemployment by more than 20% over the next five years.
For many years, Amazon has prioritized automation in its logistics and headquarters role, and has invested heavily in AI. In his letter, Jassy rattled some of these initiatives, including Alexa+ Voice Software, shopping assistants, and tools for developers and businesses sold by the Amazon Web Services Cloud Unit.
Within the company, Amazon uses AI tools for inventory placement, customer service and product listings. Jassy encouraged employees to “try AI whenever possible.”
“It will be difficult to know exactly where this will go online over time, but over the next few years, this is expected to reduce the total workforce of businesses.
Amazon is the largest private employer after Walmart Inc., with 1.56 million employees as of the end of March. Most work in warehouse packaging and shipping items, but about 350,000 people have corporate jobs.
