Generative AI (genAI) could reduce the workforce at Amazon, according to the company’s chief executive Andy Jassy.

In a memo to staff, Jassy stated that genAI is transforming how work is conducted at Amazon, meaning the company will require "fewer people performing some of the current roles and more people engaged in other types of jobs."

Jassy described technologies like genAI as rare, emerging perhaps once in a lifetime, and confirmed that Amazon is investing significantly in this field.

He emphasised that the company has over 1,000 genAI services and applications either in development or already built, noting that this represents only a small portion of what Amazon ultimately plans to create.

These AI agents will alter the scale and pace of Amazon’s operations, enabling the company to shift focus away from repetitive tasks and towards strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing customer experience.

"Agents will serve as teammates we can engage at various stages of our work, becoming more knowledgeable and useful with experience," Jassy added. "If we develop and utilise the right agents, they will dramatically accelerate our ability to improve customers’ lives daily, while also making our own jobs more engaging and enjoyable."

Jassy encouraged employees to explore AI, experiment with the technology, and take advantage of workshops and training programmes to expand their knowledge.

Amazon already offers several AI tools to customers, including a genAI short-form audio feature that synthesises product summaries and reviews, launched last month.

The feature employs large language models (LLMs) to generate scripts, sourcing data from Amazon’s product catalogue, customer reviews, and external web content, before converting the text into brief audio clips.

In May, the company introduced an AI skills training programme in the UK, aiming to train approximately 100,000 individuals in the technology by 2030.

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