Amazon has laid off employees in its artificial general intelligence (AGI) division as the technology giant continues to streamline parts of its workforce while maintaining heavy investment in artificial intelligence.
The job cuts, confirmed on Wednesday, affect Amazon’s AGI unit, which is responsible for developing advanced AI systems designed to perform complex tasks autonomously and ultimately surpass human intelligence. The company did not disclose the number of employees affected.
The latest move follows a broader workforce reduction in January, when Amazon eliminated approximately 16,000 positions across its business as part of ongoing efforts to improve operational efficiency.
Confirming the decision, an Amazon spokesperson said the company remained firmly committed to advancing AI despite the restructuring.
”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,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that the restructuring was intended to prioritise projects with the greatest long-term value for customers.
”That focus means some difficult decisions, including eliminating some roles within parts of our AGI organisation, 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 and we’re grateful for their contributions,” the spokesperson added.
Amazon is among several leading technology companies investing heavily in artificial general intelligence, a field focused on developing AI systems capable of reasoning, learning and carrying out a wide range of tasks with minimal human intervention.
The latest workforce reduction reflects the company’s strategy of reallocating resources towards its highest-priority AI initiatives as competition in the global artificial intelligence industry continues to intensify.
