Amazon cuts some jobs in its artificial general intelligence unit

Amazon is reducing its workforce within its Artificial General Intelligence unit. The company confirmed the decision on Wednesday but did not provide specific figures regarding how many staff members are leaving the organization. This unit manages key projects including the development of AI models like Nova as well as initiatives in silicon and quantum computing.

An Amazon spokesperson stated that the business is narrowing its focus on initiatives that deliver the most value for customers. The company maintains that it remains committed to building large AI models, which it considers a priority for its future. Employees in areas related to model customization and post-training reported their departures via professional networks.

This move comes as Amazon continues a series of targeted layoffs. The firm has reduced its staff by over 30,000 positions since October 2025 as part of an ongoing effort to manage its headcount following a period of rapid hiring during the pandemic. These actions coincide with massive financial investments in infrastructure to support its AI ambitions.

Amazon is currently working to compete with leaders in the industry such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google. Despite the cuts, leadership has noted that development of intelligent models is a critical component of their long-term strategy. The company is preparing to report its second-quarter financial results next week after projecting capital expenditures of $200 billion for the year.