Amazon under fire for massive job cuts, accused of letting AI ‘replace humans’

Global e-commerce giant Amazon is once again under fire after reports emerged that the company plans to lay off around 30,000 employees, nearly 10% of its 350,000-strong corporate workforce. The decision, reportedly driven by overhiring during the pandemic and the growing adoption of generative AI, has sparked widespread anger online.

Massive Job Cuts Amid AI Expansion

According to Reuters, Amazon intends to replace at least 14,000 positions with AI systems, making this one of the largest corporate layoffs in its history. Senior vice president Beth Galetti said in a blog post that the move aims to reduce bureaucracy and allow the company to focus on “our biggest bets.”

Earlier this year, CEO Andy Jassy had hinted at workforce reduction, saying that Amazon needed “fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today,” as automation continues to reshape operations.

Social Media Outrage Erupts

The announcement triggered strong backlash across social media. Many users accused Amazon of prioritizing profits over people. Investor Spencer Hakimian wrote, “AI is destroying the economy.”Another user commented, “Amazon gutting 30,000 jobs while its CEO gets richer — classic corporate greed.”

Adding to the criticism, US Senator Bernie Sanders claimed that Amazon plans to replace 600,000 workers with robots, calling out the company for benefiting from a $16 billion tax break while eliminating jobs.

A Tech Revolution or Human Cost?

As Amazon doubles down on AI-driven efficiency, the debate intensifies: is the company shaping the future of work or accelerating a future where humans are replaced by machines?