Amazon VP tells remaining workers to ‘lean in on AI’ in internal memo after massive layoffs

• Amazon cut roles in its devices division as part of its plans to lay off 14,000 employees.
• The team leader asked remaining workers to “lean in on AI,” according to an internal message.
• Amazon’s HR chief explained the cuts in part by saying AI is helping companies innovate faster.

Amazon laid off employees within its devices division as part of a plan to cut 14,000 corporate roles, according to internal messages viewed by Business Insider.

Tapas Roy, vice president of device software and services, emailed the organization saying the company cut roles within its OS & Services team and asked remaining workers to “lean in on AI.”

The devices division is behind the research and development of Amazon’s consumer electronics products, including the Kindle, Fire, and Echo devices. It is unclear how many devices employees were impacted by the layoffs.

Amazon didn’t respond to a request for comment.

“Moving forward, we remain focused on our mission to help product teams launch delightful products,” Roy wrote in a memo posted by an employee to Amazon’s internal Slack. “In support of this mission, I encourage you all to: Focus on the work that most directly impacts our customers, lean in on Al to enhance your effectiveness, [and] raise your hand when you see opportunities to simplify or eliminate unnecessary processes.”

Amazon’s HR chief Beth Galetti announced the broader cuts on Tuesday, saying the company is becoming leaner because AI is allowing companies to innovate faster than ever before.

Read the full memo:

“Team,

I’m writing to provide an update following Beth’s update on A to Z from earlier today regarding organizational changes. As with other teams across Amazon, we’ve taken a hard look at our level of investment for various programs, which is resulting in some roles being eliminated within the OS & Services org. These decisions were difficult, but were made thoughtfully to position our organization for future success.

Notifications to impacted colleagues in our organization have now been completed for the U.S. and Canada. In other regions, we are following local processes, which may include time for consultation with employee representative bodies and possibly result in longer timelines to communicate with impacted employees.

Moving forward, we remain focused on our mission to help product teams launch delightful products. In support of this mission, I encourage you all to:

• Focus on the work that most directly impacts our customers
• Lean in on Al to enhance your effectiveness
• Raise your hand when you see opportunities to simplify or eliminate unnecessary processes

Changes like this can be hard for our entire team. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available 24/7 for free and confidential support if you or your family members need it.

Thank you for your commitment to our customers as we navigate this transition.

-tapas”

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