technologySep 11, 20263:57

Amazon’s layoffs show what “AI efficiency” really looks like | Sidebean

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Amazon’s layoffs show what “AI efficiency” really looks like Sidebean makes documentaries about startups, tech, and their impact on society. It is a venture-backed company that helps other startups navigate the complicated road to success. They love to cover stories around business, startups, and tech, trying both to teach and entertain. Subscribe to Sidebean on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@slidebean/ Disclaimer: This podcast is an independently produced audio adaptation of content originally shared by Sidebean. It was created by a fan who appreciates Sidebean’s thoughtful storytelling and wanted to make these ideas more accessible for audio-focused listeners. This is not an official production of Sidebean, nor is it affiliated with or endorsed by the channel. All rights to the original video content belong to Sidebean. If you are a representative of Sidebean and have any questions or requests, please feel free to reach out. -------------------- ----- Keywords: digital transformation, startup podcast, ai development, startup success, business podcast, tech documentary, openai, venture capital Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Sidebean — Amazon’s layoffs show what “AI efficiency” really looks like | Sidebean. Machine-transcribed; use the interactive transcript above to jump the player to any line.

So we probably heard the news, Amazon announced on Tuesday that it's cutting 14,000 corporate jobs, one of the largest layoffs in the company history, but there's something that makes it different, because these are not warehouse workers, they're not delivery drivers, they are corporate employees, they're engineers, managers, product teams, those are the kinds of roles that Amazon spent years hiring aggressively during the pandemic, now they're just gone in a sweep. And the reason is obvious, Amazon is calling it a shift towards AI and to efficiency, and basically they're saying that they can automate what these people did, or that they don't need them anymore, because AI is filling that gap. Twitch got hit by the layoffs too, and a former executive there went on record saying that Amazon's prioritizing automation over the humans will actually build those products. So basically 14,000 people lost their jobs so that Amazon could redirect that money into the AI systems, the company's betting that it can run leaner with software instead of staff, whether it actually works, we have to find out.

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Amazon’s layoffs show what “AI efficiency” really looks like | Sidebean

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