Amazon confirms new AI-related layoffs focused on tech giant’s own AI division
Thu, July 23, 2026 at 2:31 PM
A photo of Amazon’s headquarters in downtown Seattle. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, Wash. —Amazon confirmed a new round of layoffs this week, eliminating an unspecified number of jobs within portions of its artificial general intelligence, or AGI, organization as the Seattle-based technology company continues restructuring its workforce while investing heavily in artificial intelligence
The company did not disclose how many employees were affected or which roles were eliminated. Amazon’s AGI organization is responsible for developing advanced AI models, with the broader division also overseeing silicon development and quantum computing initiatives under a reorganization announced late last year
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“We’ve been building large AI models for several years, and it remains one of the most important things we’re working on,” an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement. “This is a fast-moving space, and we’re sharpening our focus on the initiatives that matter most for customers, so we can move faster on what counts.”
The company said that effort requires “some difficult decisions,” including eliminating roles within parts of its AGI organization, while continuing to invest in projects it considers most important for customers. Amazon said affected U.S. employees will receive 90 days of pay and benefits, job placement assistance, access to transitional health benefits and severance eligibility
The full statement, from an Amazon spokesperson:
“We’ve been building large AI models for several years, and it remains one of the most important things we’re working on. This is a fast-moving space, and we’re sharpening our focus on the initiatives that matter most for customers, so we can move faster on what counts. That focus means some difficult decisions, including eliminating some roles within parts of our AGI organization, even as we continue to invest in the areas most important to our customers’ future. We’re committed to supporting impacted employees through their transition. Employees in the U.S. will receive their pay and benefits for 90 days, outplacement job search support, access to transitional health benefits, and be eligible for a severance payment. We’re grateful for the contributions of every impacted employee.”
The latest cuts come as Amazon continues reshaping its corporate workforce around artificial intelligence
In January, the company eliminated roughly 16,000 corporate positions worldwide in its second major round of layoffs in three months. State filings showed 2,198 of those jobs were in the Seattle area, including more than 1,400 positions in Seattle and about 630 in Bellevue
The reductions followed another 14,000 corporate layoffs announced in October 2025, representing about 4% of Amazon’s corporate workforce at the time
Amazon executives have increasingly said generative AI will allow the company to reduce the need for some corporate positions.CEO Andy Jassy has told employees the technology is expected to automate portions of white-collar work over time while creating demand for new AI-focused roles. The company has simultaneously expanded investments in its AI infrastructure, foundation models and cloud-based AI services
The continuing layoffs have raised concerns about the broader economic impact on Washington’s technology sector and the Seattle region, where Amazon remains one of the state’s largest private employers
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Previous rounds of job cuts affected workers across human reate teams, fueling worries among economists and downtown businesses about reduced office occupancy, consumer spending and the pace of Seattle’s post-pandemic recovery
The latest layoffs underscore a broader trend across the technology industry as companies reduce headcounts in some areas while accelerating investments in artificial intelligence to remain competitive. Amazon has not indicated whether additional workforce reductions are planned
