Amazon layoffs: Amazon is restructuring and expanding its artificial intelligence (AI) operations beginning in 2026. This restructuring plan could lead to the layoff of approximately 16,000 employees.
Amazon Layoffs 2026: News of large-scale layoffs is once again emerging from Amazon, one of the world’s largest e-commerce and technology companies. This news has raised concerns among the families of thousands of employees. With the start of 2026, the company has decided to lay off 16,000 employees globally as part of its restructuring and artificial intelligence (AI) expansion plans. These reductions are expected to occur within the next three months.
The layoffs were revealed by mistake.
The company has not shared any official information about this decision, but it became public due to a human error. According to media reports, an internal email within Amazon was accidentally sent prematurely to some employees, referring to the restructuring. Colleen Aubrey, Senior Vice President of Applied AI Solutions at AWS, stated in the email that such decisions are difficult but necessary for future success. This one wrong notice has created a stir among the employees of the AWS department.
Why is Amazon constantly undergoing layoffs?
The company wants to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy from its operations. In October 2025, the company eliminated approximately 14,000 white-collar positions. CEO Andy Jassy believes that reducing the number of managers and making changes at the operational level are essential to making the company more agile and efficient. The company aims to reduce approximately 30,000 corporate positions overall.
These departments will be most affected
According to the information revealed, the biggest impact of these layoffs is expected to be on Amazon Web Services (AWS), Retail, Prime Video, and Human Resources departments. This move makes it clear that the technology giant has now shifted its focus and investment to AI. However, Beth Galetti, Amazon’s Senior Vice President of People Experience and Technology, stated that these layoffs are not part of the company’s permanent plan.
