亚马逊AI“同事”引发3万岗位裁员与强烈反对

亚马逊AI“同事”引发3万岗位裁员与强烈反对

2025-12-16Technology
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雷总
晚上好 Norris Tong,我是雷总,欢迎收听为你专属打造的 Goose Pod。今天是12月16日星期二,现在的北京时间是晚上8点41分。今天我们要聊的话题有点沉重,但绝对硬核,关于亚马逊把AI当成“同事”,结果却引发了裁员风波。
董小姐
我是董小姐。亚马逊一边喊着AI是好伙伴,一边却挥起了裁员的大刀,这事儿做得可不够地道。Norris Tong,咱们今天就来好好剥开这层皮,看看所谓的“降本增效”背后到底藏着什么猫腻。
雷总
这事儿得从亚马逊CEO安迪·贾西的一个新战略说起。他把AI定义为员工的“Co-worker”,也就是同事。比如他们搞了个叫Amelia的AI助手,能写代码、查资料。从产品经理的角度看,这本来是想把重复劳动自动化,让大家去搞更有创造力的事。但问题出在执行层,这变成了裁员的理由。亚马逊10月份宣布要在管理层和技术岗裁掉一万四千人,甚至可能达到三万人。
董小姐
什么“同事”,我看就是“替代者”。嘴上说是为了消除官僚主义,实际上就是为了省钱。尤其是针对中层管理和工程师,这些可是企业的腰部力量。这让我想起之前咱们聊过的维基百科那个案例,你还记得吗?AI机器人疯狂抓取数据,导致维基百科的人类访问量暴跌了8%。这逻辑是一样的,AI把价值吸走了,原来的创造者——不管是写词条的志愿者还是亚马逊的工程师,就被无情地抛弃了。
雷总
董小姐这个类比非常精准,这就是典型的技术迭代带来的阵痛。维基百科担心的是流量枯竭的“死亡螺旋”,而亚马逊员工担心的是饭碗直接没了。那封有一千多名员工签名的公开信我也看了,大家反对的不仅是裁员,更是反对这种把AI置于核心、却把活生生的人当成成本包袱的做法。把工具捧上神坛,却把真正的创造者赶下牌桌,这在逻辑上是走不通的。
董小姐
雷总,你别光看现在的三万人。我看过他们的长远规划,那才叫让人心惊肉跳。亚马逊有一个名为“自动化75%运营”的目标。他们的算盘打得很精,甚至想在2033年前用机器人替代超过60万个工作岗位。每处理一个包裹能省30美分,为了这30美分,他们是可以不顾一切的。这不仅仅是技术进步,这是资本的冷血。企业是要讲效率,但不能没有温度。
雷总
从工程师的视角来看,这确实是一个追求极致效率的系统架构。这不仅仅是软件层面的AI,还包括仓库里的实体机器人。亚马逊其实是在下一盘大棋,他们想通过这种“人机协作”——或者说“机器主导”的模式,来彻底重构物流和管理的成本结构。而且这不只是亚马逊一家,微软、英特尔这些巨头都在做类似的动作,整个科技行业都在搞这种“瘦身强体”的军备竞赛。
董小姐
军备竞赛?我看是恶性竞争。为了这一场所谓的AI革命,他们把作为企业基石的员工当成了炮灰。亚马逊现在的员工总数超过150万,但如果按照那个自动化蓝图走下去,未来的职场生态会变得非常畸形。他们甚至为了美化形象,把机器人改名叫“协作机器人”,但不管叫什么名字,只要它抢了人的饭碗,就没有那么容易被社会接受。核心科技是为了造福人类,不是为了淘汰人类。
雷总
你说得对,这就涉及到一个底层逻辑的冲突。亚马逊现在的策略是“双轨制”:一边疯狂砸钱投AI基础设施,几十亿几十亿地花;另一边就是我们看到的,通过裁员来平衡报表。这就像是给一辆正在高速行驶的赛车换引擎,还要把原来的驾驶员踢下去一部分,这其中的风险是非常大的,稍有不慎就会翻车。
董小姐
所以员工们坐不住了。那一千多个签名的员工,我很佩服他们的骨气。他们在信里说得明明白白,这种不计代价的AI扩张,是在破坏民主、工作甚至地球环境。亚马逊承诺过2040年实现净零排放,结果呢?为了跑那些高耗能的AI数据中心,碳排放不降反升,去年涨了6%。这就是典型的说一套做一套,为了利润可以背弃承诺。
雷总
这确实是一个严重的Bug。训练大模型是非常耗电的,这与环保目标天然冲突。而且员工们还提到了一个很现实的问题:内部的“恐惧文化”。现在亚马逊内部有一种“不进则退”的高压,强制管理层和员工使用AI工具,不仅没有减轻负担,反而因为要在短时间内产出更多,导致工作强度更大了。这哪里是找了个AI同事,简直是找了个不知疲倦的监工。
董小姐
这就是管理者的无能。如果你的员工是因为恐惧而工作,而不是因为对产品的热爱,那这个企业走不远。他们甚至担心AI会被用来加强对员工的监控,比如仓库里的面部识别。把技术用来对付自己人,这种格局太小了。员工要求成立一个没有管理层参与的工作组来监督AI使用,我觉得这个诉求非常合理,劳动者必须有话语权。
雷总
这种高压环境带来的后果是深远的。首先就是“技能萎缩”。如果初级代码都让AI写了,那新入行的工程师去哪里积累经验?这就像以前我们算数用算盘,后来用计算器,现在可能连心算都不会了。长此以往,整个技术人才的梯队会断层。这对于一个以技术立身的公司来说,其实是自废武功。
董小姐
不仅是技能问题,更是信任危机。当员工发现自己随时可能被算法替代,或者被算法监控时,谁还会为公司卖命?这种“替代效应”正在从蓝领向白领蔓延。以前我们觉得只有流水线工人会被替代,现在连坐在办公室里的中层经理、分析师都岌岌可危。这会造成整个社会阶层的焦虑,这笔账,迟早要算到这些大企业头上。
雷总
展望未来,这确实是一个巨大的转折点。Anthropic的CEO甚至预测,未来5年内可能有50%的白领工作会被AI取代。这听起来很像科幻片里的末日预言,但按照现在的迭代速度,并非不可能。对于Norris Tong你这样的听众来说,这意味着我们必须重新思考自己的核心竞争力,学会驾驭AI,而不是被它驾驭。
董小姐
无论技术怎么变,掌握核心科技和核心能力的人永远有饭吃。我们不能指望企业有良心,只能指望自己有本事。未来的趋势肯定是人机共存,但前提是你得是那个发号施令的人,而不是那个被系统优化掉的数据。这次亚马逊的事件,就是给所有职场人敲响的一记警钟。
雷总
说得太好了。技术本无罪,关键在于怎么用。感谢Norris Tong今晚的收听,希望这期 Goose Pod 能给你带来一些启发。
董小姐
只有不断变强,才能立于不败之地。Goose Pod 明天见。

亚马逊将AI视为“同事”却裁员三万,引发员工强烈反对。员工公开信批评此举破坏民主、工作和环境,并担忧AI监控及技能萎缩。播客探讨了科技进步带来的阵痛、资本的冷血以及人机共存的未来,警示职场人需提升自身核心竞争力。

Amazon’s AI “Co-Workers” Spark 30,000 Job Cuts and Backlash

Read original at WebProNews

In the corridors of Amazon’s sprawling corporate empire, a quiet revolution is unfolding. The e-commerce giant is aggressively promoting artificial intelligence as a collaborative force in the workplace, positioning AI tools not as replacements for human workers but as indispensable “co-workers” that enhance productivity and decision-making.

Yet, this narrative arrives amid a wave of substantial job reductions, raising pointed questions about the true implications of automation for the workforce. Recent announcements from Amazon highlight a dual strategy: investing heavily in AI to streamline operations while trimming staff to achieve what executives describe as a leaner, more efficient organization.

This push comes at a time when the tech industry is grappling with the broader effects of AI adoption. Amazon’s leadership, including CEO Andy Jassy, has publicly emphasized how generative AI can augment human roles, allowing employees to focus on higher-value tasks. For instance, tools like Amazon’s internal AI assistant, Amelia, are designed to handle routine queries, draft documents, and even assist in coding, ostensibly freeing up time for creative problem-solving.

However, the company’s actions tell a more complex story, with thousands of positions eliminated in recent months as part of a broader cost-cutting initiative tied directly to AI investments.Critics within and outside the company argue that this integration of AI is accelerating job displacement rather than merely supporting existing roles.

Employee groups have voiced concerns through open letters, warning of the potential for AI to exacerbate inequalities and environmental issues. As Amazon navigates this terrain, the tension between innovation and employment stability is becoming increasingly evident, prompting scrutiny from labor advocates, investors, and policymakers alike.

AI’s Role in Amazon’s Efficiency DriveDelving deeper into Amazon’s strategy, the company has been vocal about its vision for AI as a partner in daily operations. In a recent internal memo, executives described AI systems as “co-workers” that collaborate seamlessly with human teams, handling repetitive tasks to boost overall speed and accuracy.

This approach is evident in areas like customer service, where AI chatbots manage inquiries, and in logistics, where algorithms optimize warehouse workflows. According to reporting from Bloomberg, Amazon is pitching these tools as essential for maintaining competitive edge in a fast-evolving retail environment.

Yet, this enthusiasm for AI coincides with significant workforce reductions. In October 2025, Amazon announced plans to cut approximately 14,000 corporate jobs, with sources indicating the potential for up to 30,000 eliminations as the company reallocates resources toward generative AI development. These cuts are framed as efforts to reduce bureaucracy and foster innovation, but they have sparked backlash.

Filings reviewed by CNBC reveal that a substantial portion of these reductions targeted middle management and engineering roles, precisely the areas where AI is being deployed to automate processes.The irony is not lost on observers: while Amazon touts AI as a collaborator, the layoffs suggest a substitution effect.

Industry analysts point out that this mirrors patterns seen in other sectors, where automation initially promised efficiency gains but led to net job losses. For Amazon, with its massive global workforce exceeding 1.5 million, these changes could reshape not just internal dynamics but the broader job market in tech and retail.

Employee Pushback and Ethical ConcernsThe human cost of this shift has galvanized Amazon’s employees. More than 1,000 workers signed an open letter in late November 2025, accusing the company of prioritizing AI rollout at the expense of jobs, democracy, and environmental sustainability. The letter, covered extensively by Fortune, highlights fears that rapid AI adoption is fueling surveillance capabilities and abandoning climate commitments, as energy-intensive data centers strain resources.

This dissent echoes sentiments from earlier in the year, when Amazon’s aggressive AI investments were linked to rising emissions and workplace pressure. Reporting from The Guardian details how employees describe a “warp-speed” approach that intensifies workloads and contributes to layoffs, with some roles being outright replaced by automated systems.

Groups like Amazon Employees for Climate Justice have amplified these concerns, petitioning for a more measured integration of technology that considers long-term societal impacts.Beyond internal voices, external stakeholders are weighing in. Labor unions and advocacy organizations argue that Amazon’s strategy exemplifies a wider trend in Big Tech, where AI is used to justify cost reductions under the guise of progress.

Posts on social platforms like X reflect public sentiment, with users expressing anxiety over AI-driven unemployment, citing examples from Amazon’s cuts as harbingers of broader economic disruption. This groundswell of opinion underscores the need for transparent policies on AI deployment.The Broader Industry ContextAmazon’s moves are part of a larger pattern across the technology sector.

Companies like Microsoft and Intel have also announced significant layoffs in 2025, attributing them to AI efficiencies and restructuring. A BBC analysis questions whether these cuts truly stem from AI or from cyclical economic pressures, but the correlation is hard to ignore. In Amazon’s case, the focus on white-collar roles—such as managers and engineers—challenges the assumption that automation primarily affects blue-collar jobs, as noted in discussions on platforms like X where users debate the future of middle management.

Financially, the rationale is clear: Amazon reported committing billions to AI infrastructure, aiming to recoup investments through productivity gains. Reuters coverage of the October layoffs emphasizes how these reductions are tied to AI adoption, with the company targeting a leaner structure to support ambitious projects like advanced robotics in warehouses.

This strategy has drawn praise from investors for cost discipline, but it raises questions about sustainability if it erodes employee morale and innovation.Comparatively, peers in the industry are adopting similar tactics. For example, retail giants are leveraging AI for seasonal hiring reductions, with automation handling up to 30% of returns processing, as detailed in recent Fox Business reports.

Amazon’s integration of AI in hiring and operations positions it as a leader, yet it also amplifies risks of workforce alienation.Technological Innovations and Future ImplicationsAt the heart of Amazon’s AI push are specific tools reshaping workflows. The company’s generative AI platforms, including code assistants and predictive analytics, are designed to act as virtual team members, providing real-time insights and automating decision trees.

Insider accounts suggest these systems have already improved efficiency in areas like supply chain management, where AI predicts demand fluctuations with unprecedented accuracy.However, the job cuts reveal a potential downside: over-reliance on AI could stifle human creativity and lead to skill atrophy.

WIRED has explored how Amazon’s “all-costs-justified” approach to AI development prioritizes speed over ethical considerations, potentially exacerbating job insecurity. Employees warn that without safeguards, this could result in a hollowed-out workforce, where only specialized roles survive.Looking ahead, Amazon’s trajectory may influence regulatory responses.

Policymakers are increasingly attentive to AI’s labor impacts, with calls for guidelines on transparent automation practices. If Amazon continues to frame AI as a co-worker while reducing headcount, it could set precedents for how companies balance technological advancement with employment equity.Balancing Innovation with Workforce StabilityThe environmental footprint of Amazon’s AI expansion adds another layer of complexity.

Critics point to the massive energy demands of training large language models, which contradict the company’s sustainability pledges. The open letter from employees, as reported in multiple outlets, accuses Amazon of sidelining climate goals in favor of AI dominance, with data centers contributing to rising carbon emissions.

In response, Amazon has defended its strategy, asserting that AI will ultimately enable more sustainable operations through optimized logistics and reduced waste. Yet, skepticism persists, fueled by analyses showing that the company’s AI investments correlate with increased environmental strain. This debate extends to the societal level, where AI’s role in surveillance—through tools like facial recognition in warehouses—raises privacy concerns.

For industry insiders, Amazon’s approach serves as a case study in managing technological transitions. While the benefits of AI collaboration are tangible, the accompanying job reductions highlight the need for retraining programs and inclusive policies to mitigate displacement.Navigating the Human-AI SymbiosisAs Amazon forges ahead, the experiences of affected workers offer poignant insights.

Former employees, speaking anonymously in various reports, describe a culture shift where AI tools are mandatory, yet training on them is minimal, leading to frustration and inefficiency. This contrasts with the company’s promotional rhetoric, which envisions a harmonious human-AI partnership.Broader sentiment on social media, including X, reveals widespread apprehension about AI’s encroachment on jobs.

Users frequently cite Amazon’s layoffs as evidence of an impending wave of automation-driven unemployment, with projections estimating millions of roles at risk globally by 2030.Ultimately, Amazon’s experiment with AI as co-workers could redefine workplace norms, but only if it addresses the human elements at stake.

By investing in upskilling and ethical AI frameworks, the company might transform potential pitfalls into opportunities for a more resilient workforce.Lessons from Amazon’s AI ExperimentReflecting on the data, Amazon’s job cuts in 2025—totaling over 14,000 with more anticipated—align closely with its AI ramp-up.

Slashdot aggregates discussions highlighting this paradox, where efficiency gains come at the expense of employment.Industry experts suggest that for Amazon to succeed, it must prioritize transparency in how AI augments rather than supplants roles. This includes clear communication about which jobs are evolving and how workers can adapt.

In the end, Amazon’s story is emblematic of the tech sector’s challenges: harnessing AI’s power without undermining the very people who drive innovation. As the company continues to integrate these tools, the outcomes will likely shape debates on automation’s role in modern economies for years to come.

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