Amazon is reportedly gearing up for a second significant round of corporate layoffs that could commence as early as next week, according to sources familiar with the matter. This move is part of the tech giant's broader strategy to trim approximately 30,000 corporate roles, as the company intensifies its efforts to streamline operations, reduce bureaucratic layers, and harness artificial intelligence for enhanced efficiency.
Details of the Upcoming Job Cuts
The upcoming layoffs are expected to impact thousands of employees, with the total number likely mirroring the roughly 14,000 white-collar jobs that were eliminated in October 2025. Sources indicate that the cuts could begin on Tuesday, though they cautioned that the specifics of Amazon's plans might still be subject to change. An Amazon spokesperson has declined to comment on these developments, maintaining the company's typical stance of not publicly discussing internal workforce adjustments.
Affected Departments and Units
The job reductions are slated to affect various key divisions within Amazon, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), retail operations, Prime Video, and the human resources unit known as People Experience and Technology. While the full scope of the layoffs remains unclear, these areas are expected to bear the brunt of the cuts, reflecting a strategic realignment as the company adapts to evolving market demands and technological advancements.
Background and Previous Layoffs
This second wave follows Amazon's initial round of layoffs in October 2025, which saw about 14,000 corporate positions eliminated. That earlier reduction represented nearly half of the 30,000 target that was first reported by Reuters. The combined effort to reach this total underscores Amazon's commitment to reshaping its corporate structure in response to both internal assessments and external economic pressures.
AI and Cultural Drivers Behind the Cuts
In an internal letter related to the October layoffs, Amazon linked the job cuts to the rise of artificial intelligence, describing AI as "the most transformative technology we've seen since the Internet" and highlighting its role in accelerating innovation. However, CEO Andy Jassy later provided a nuanced perspective during the company's third-quarter earnings call, stating that the reductions were "not really financially driven and it's not even really AI-driven." Instead, he attributed the moves to cultural factors, emphasizing that Amazon has accumulated excessive bureaucracy over time.
Jassy elaborated that this bureaucratic buildup has led to an inflated corporate workforce with too many layers, hindering agility and efficiency. He had previously indicated in 2025 that he anticipated Amazon's corporate headcount would shrink gradually as AI-driven efficiencies are realized, allowing the company to operate more leanly and effectively.
Broader Industry Trends and Implications
Amazon's layoffs are part of a wider trend in the corporate world, where companies are increasingly turning to AI to automate routine tasks, write software code, and reduce reliance on human labor. This shift is driven by a desire to cut costs and enhance productivity in a competitive global landscape. Amazon showcased its latest AI models at the annual AWS cloud computing conference in December, underscoring its investment in this transformative technology.
Impact on Amazon's Workforce
If the full 30,000 job cuts are realized, they would represent a small fraction of Amazon's total workforce of 1.58 million employees, but nearly 10% of its corporate staff. The majority of Amazon's employees work in fulfillment centers and warehouses, highlighting the disproportionate impact on white-collar roles. This would mark the largest layoff in Amazon's three-decade history, surpassing the approximately 27,000 jobs trimmed in 2022.
Employee Transition and Support
Employees affected by the October layoffs were informed that they would remain on the payroll for 90 days, during which they could explore internal job opportunities or seek employment elsewhere. This transition period is set to expire on Monday, just as the new round of cuts is anticipated to begin, adding a layer of urgency and uncertainty for those potentially impacted.
As Amazon navigates this challenging phase, the company's focus on AI and cultural restructuring signals a pivotal moment in its evolution, with implications for the broader tech industry and corporate America at large.
