The Economic Times

Amazon layoffs 2026: Is Amazons 16,000-employee layoff only the start, or is Amazon preparing deeper AI-driven workforce changes?

Amazon layoffs 2026: Amazon cut 16,000 corporate jobs in January 2026, after 14,000 layoffs in October 2025, taking total reductions to 30,000 roles, or nearly 10% of its corporate workforce. Amazon reported about $21 billion in profit in late 2025. Yet Andy Jassy says the layoffs are not about saving money. He argues they are about speed and execution. Amazon wants faster decisions. Fewer layers. Less bureaucracy. Leadership believes a leaner structure, backed by AI and automation, will help teams move quicker and compete better in the next growth phase.