how artificial intelligence will change work

Amazon is preparing for a future dominated by the use of artificial intelligence (AI), a change set to radically transform the organization of work in the large company and in the tech sector in general. 

Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon, recently communicated to employees the impact that this technology will have on the workforce, anticipating a reduction in corporate staff thanks to the efficiency gains resulting from the massive adoption of AI.

Amazon and the challenge of artificial intelligence

The message from Andy Jassy arrives at a crucial moment: AI is rapidly changing the way companies operate, especially in the tech world. Thanks to advancements in the ability of models like chatbots to generate code, images, and texts with minimal input, Amazon is integrating AI into almost every sector of the company. However, this revolution comes with an evident human cost: fewer people will be needed to perform certain business tasks.

Jassy urged his collaborators to “be curious about AI” and to embrace the transformation, as the company aims to use the technology to complete routine tasks more quickly and accurately. An important aspect of his communication is the prediction that, within a few years, Amazon’s corporate workforce will shrink. This does not mean a total disappearance of jobs in the company, but a reconfiguration of roles: some positions will disappear, others will transform, or new opportunities will arise related to the use and development of Intelligenza Artificiale.

Amazon’s Numbers and the Impact on Employment

At the end of 2023, Amazon employed more than 1.5 million people globally, with the majority of the staff concentrated in the United States, where Amazon is the second-largest employer after Walmart. This figure highlights the company’s reach and the potential scale of employment change caused by the adoption of AI.

In particular, about 350,000 employees work in office roles, while the majority of the workforce is involved in logistics and e-commerce operations. Jassy highlighted that AI is already used by about half a million sellers on Amazon platforms to create informational content about products, and it is progressively spreading among advertisers as well. This suggests an increasingly intense convergence between technology and human work, even in more creative or complex activities such as marketing and product description.

The jobs that will change and those that will disappear

According to Jassy, AI will allow for “efficiency” everywhere, performing routine tasks such as shopping and daily chores. However, the reduction of staff does not only mean widespread layoffs: some professions will be replaced, while others will transform drastically.

This trend is also confirmed by other experts in the AI sector. Dario Amodei, CEO of the company Anthropic, stated that artificial intelligence could eliminate up to half of entry-level office jobs, especially those based on repetitive and predictable tasks. Furthermore, Geoffrey Hinton, known as the “godfather of AI,” has expressed similar concerns, warning that the ability of AI to perform ordinary human intellectual work could drastically reduce the demand for traditional workforce in office professions.

AI: opportunities and challenges for Amazon

Despite the anticipated reduction in workforce, Amazon seems to be focusing heavily on innovation and growth related to AI. According to the CEO, employees who can adapt to change and leverage new technologies will be “well positioned” within the company. The rapid adoption of AI in various corporate departments could indeed create new professional areas, especially in the field of management and development of intelligent systems.

Furthermore, the integration of AI is already changing the way Amazon supports sellers on its platforms, offering advanced tools to improve communication and product promotion. Advertising investments are also benefiting from these technologies, making processes more efficient and precise.

The future of work at Amazon according to Jassy

• AI will be integrated into almost all business aspects.
• The most repetitive and routine tasks will be entrusted to the machines.
• There will be a reduction in the corporate workforce in the coming years.
• Birth of new roles and transformation of existing ones.
• Employees ready to innovate will have more opportunities.

Amazon and artificial intelligence: a look beyond

The impact of AI on Amazon represents a concrete example of how technology is redefining the job market, especially in large tech corporations. While the reduction of jobs is a reality, this transformation also paves the way for new professional opportunities and greater efficiency in business processes.

It is therefore essential for workers to stay updated and develop skills related to AI, in order not to fall behind in a rapidly evolving context. On the other hand, companies must also deal with the responsibility of managing this transition in an ethical and sustainable way, considering the social impact of significant occupational cuts.

In summary, Amazon’s decision to invest heavily in artificial intelligence marks a turning point in the way we work and live with technology. Those who can adapt to this new reality will have a significant competitive advantage, while the entire sector will be called to reflect on development and inclusion prospects.