Amazon is undergoing another round of job reductions, this time impacting its Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) division. This marks the second significant wave of layoffs for the tech giant this year, following the elimination of over 16,000 positions in January.
While Amazon has not disclosed the exact number of affected employees in its AGI unit, a company spokesperson indicated that these changes are part of a broader strategy to streamline operations. “We’re sharpening our focus on the initiatives that matter most for customers, so we can move faster on what counts,” the spokesperson stated, emphasizing a commitment to core AI projects.
Leadership Shifts in Amazon's AI Division
The restructuring within Amazon's AGI efforts coincides with several high-profile leadership changes. Rohit Prasad, a key executive previously leading AGI initiatives, departed the company late last year. David Luan, who headed Amazon's AGI Lab, also left in February.
In December, Amazon reorganized its entire AGI division, placing it under the oversight of Senior Vice President Peter DeSantis. DeSantis now manages a broad portfolio that includes AGI, silicon chip development, and quantum computing initiatives.
Impacted AGI Teams
Reports suggest that employees from two specific AGI teams were affected by the recent layoffs. These teams were previously led by Adeeb Shanaa, Vice President of AGI Data Services, and Vishal Sharma, Vice President of AGI Information.
These developments at Amazon reflect a wider trend of AI-driven tech layoffs across the industry, contributing to increased anxiety among employees about job security. Other major tech companies, including Google, have also seen employees advocating for stronger severance packages and voluntary exit options amidst ongoing workforce adjustments.