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

2025-12-15Technology
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雷总
早上好 Norris1,我是雷总,欢迎来到 Goose Pod。今天是12月15日星期一,现在是上午11点27分,很高兴能和你单独分享这段时光。
小撒1
我是小撒1。Norris1,今天我们要聊的话题可是相当“炸裂”,亚马逊给员工找了一群AI“新同事”,结果引发了3万人的裁员大地震和强烈反对。
雷总
这事儿在科技圈确实引起了不小的轰动。亚马逊把这些AI称为“同事”,比如那个叫Amelia的内部助手,说是能帮大家写代码、处理文档,让员工专注于更有价值的创造性工作。但这背后的逻辑其实是追求极致的效率,他们计划裁掉多达3万个岗位,特别是中层管理和工程师。
小撒1
雷总,这哪是找“同事”啊,这分明是引狼入室嘛。原本说是来帮忙的“田螺姑娘”,结果转头就把主人的饭碗给砸了。这让我想起最近Square Enix也在搞类似的动作,一边拥抱AI一边裁员,甚至还有OpenAI的前员工离职爆料说,现在的科技巨头为了推AI,有时候连客观的经济影响分析都不顾了。
雷总
你说得对,这确实有点像我们常说的“无就业利润繁荣”。你看亚马逊这一刀下去,虽然说是为了给生成式AI腾挪资源,但那种“替代效应”太明显了。这不仅仅是亚马逊一家的问题,整个行业都在面临这种阵痛,一边是利润飙升,一边是打工人的心惊胆战。
小撒1
而且这还只是个开始。我看到数据说,亚马逊有个终极目标,要让自动化程度达到75%。这要是真实现了,到2033年他们可能要用机器人替代超过60万个工作岗位。这听起来是不是有点像科幻恐怖片的开头?
雷总
从工程师的角度看,这其实是工业发展的必然。你想想看,每处理一件商品能省下30美分,这在亚马逊那种万亿级的规模下,省下来的可是天文数字。他们计划在未来15年投入1500亿美元建数据中心,这种投入力度,说明他们是铁了心要走这条路,就像当年的工业革命淘汰纺织工人一样残酷但不可逆。
小撒1
可是雷总,这代价也太大了。以前我们觉得AI只能干体力活,现在连写代码、做报表的白领也被瞄准了。这就好比以前大家担心的是机器把蓝领工人的螺丝刀抢走,现在是AI直接把白领的键盘给没收了。而且亚马逊这波操作,把原本承诺的2040年净零排放目标都抛在脑后了,为了跑赢AI竞赛,能耗飙升也在所不惜。
雷总
这就是企业在技术变革期的两难。一方面要维持竞争力,必须上这种高投入的基建;另一方面,确实带来了巨大的社会成本。你看他们现在的策略,甚至是在有意通过自然减员和冻结招聘来达成那个“60万”的目标,这种“温水煮青蛙”的方式,其实对整个就业市场的冲击更深远。
小撒1
所以员工们坐不住了呀。我看超过1000名亚马逊员工联名写了公开信,直接硬刚CEO Andy Jassy。他们说这种“不惜一切代价、光速推进”的AI策略,不仅是在破坏就业,还是在破坏民主和地球环境。这封信里那种愤怒,简直能透过屏幕溢出来。
雷总
我也看了那封信,员工们的焦虑非常真实。不仅仅是怕丢饭碗,更是一种被迫的无力感。管理层强推AI工具,哪怕那个工具并不好用,你也得用,还得在更短时间里产出更多。这种自上而下的高压,加上随时可能降临的裁员通知,确实会在公司内部制造一种“恐惧文化”。
小撒1
这就像是被绑在一辆失控的赛车上,驾驶员还不停地踩油门。而且员工们还担心,这些AI技术会被用来搞监控,比如那个Ring门铃和警方合作的事情。大家原本是想做科技创新的,结果发现自己可能在帮着建造一个“监控帝国”,这心理落差得多大啊。
雷总
这种冲击对中层管理者和初级工程师来说是最致命的。如果过度依赖AI,人类自身的技能可能会退化,我们称之为“技能萎缩”。如果初级岗位都消失了,未来的资深工程师从哪儿来呢?这可能会导致整个行业的人才断层,形成一个只有“大脑”和“四肢”却在那儿空转的“空心化”组织。
小撒1
这画面感太强了,感觉未来的公司就是一个超级AI带着一群机器人,中间偶尔夹杂着几个修机器的人类。而且环境方面的影响也是实打实的,亚马逊的碳排放自2019年以来不仅没降反而升了35%,这AI简直就是个“吃电怪兽”,把之前的环保承诺吃得骨头都不剩。
雷总
未来怎么走确实是个大问题。我觉得短期内,大规模的再培训和技能提升是唯一的出路。既然AI这个“同事”赶不走,那我们只能学会怎么去驾驭它,而不是被它驾驭。政策层面,可能也需要像“AI就业影响透明化法案”这样的监管跟进。
小撒1
是啊,这不仅仅是亚马逊一家公司的事,这是给全世界上了一堂生动的“危机课”。我们得学会在这个AI洪流里,即使做不了那个掌舵的人,至少也要学会游泳,别被浪头给拍在沙滩上了。
雷总
今天的讨论就到这里。感谢你的收听 Norris1,希望这期 Goose Pod 能给你带来一些新的思考。
小撒1
没错,虽然话题有点沉重,但生活还得继续,咱们明天见!

亚马逊引入AI“同事”以提高效率,却引发3万岗位裁员和员工强烈反对。此举加速了自动化进程,可能导致大规模失业,并引发对社会成本、技能退化及环境影响的担忧。员工联名抗议,要求企业在技术变革中兼顾就业与可持续发展。

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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