Amazon to cut 14,000 jobs across AWS, retail and HR in May 2026: Report

Amazon is reportedly planning to cut around 14,000 jobs globally in May 2026, with potential layoffs spanning its AWS cloud unit, retail operations and human resources, according to Asia Business Outlook.

The company has not officially confirmed the planned cuts.

Reported layoffs target corporate roles

The proposed reductions are expected to primarily affect white-collar employees and mid-level managers, while warehouse and logistics roles are not currently part of the reported plans, Asia Business Outlook said.

Separate reporting cited by TechNode suggests the layoffs could focus on corporate roles across key business units, with some speculation around possible team-level restructuring in China, although these claims remain unverified.

Follows earlier rounds of job cuts

The reported move would follow a series of recent workforce reductions at Amazon. The company had already cut around 14,000 corporate jobs in late 2025, followed by a further 16,000 layoffs in January 2026, bringing total recent job losses to roughly 30,000, according to Asia Business Outlook.

If the latest round proceeds, cumulative cuts could rise significantly, though the company has not disclosed any new official targets.

AI push and cost restructuring

Amazon’s leadership has previously linked restructuring efforts to a broader shift towards artificial intelligence and automation, alongside efforts to streamline management layers and improve operational efficiency.

The company is reallocating resources towards hardware, software and large-scale data centre investments, with capital expenditure projected to reach $125 billion by 2026, Asia Business Outlook said in its latest report.

Chief executive Andy Jassy has indicated that increased adoption of generative AI and AI agents could reduce the need for certain roles over time, pointing to a structural shift in workforce requirements.

Amazon’s reported plans reflect a wider trend across the technology sector, where companies are increasingly using AI to automate white-collar tasks and optimise costs.

However, without official confirmation, the scale and timing of the reported layoffs remain uncertain.

The reported job cuts, if confirmed, would signal a continuation of Amazon’s ongoing restructuring as it pivots towards AI-led growth. For now, the company’s workforce strategy appears to remain in flux, with further clarity likely to emerge in the coming months.