AI will transform work, but not all jobs will stay, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy warns

In a recent interview with CNBC's Jim Cramer, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy shared his insights on the impending transformation of the workforce due to artificial intelligence. Jassy emphasized that AI is poised to be one of the most groundbreaking technologies of our time, fundamentally reshaping how we work. He remarked, "AI is going to be the most transformative technology in our lifetime… It's also going to change the way we work." Jassy acknowledged that while some jobs may become obsolete due to automation, new opportunities will arise in different areas, necessitating a shift in the skills required from the workforce. Jassy expressed optimism, stating that AI would alleviate the burden of routine tasks, enabling employees to commence their duties from a more advanced position. This, he believes, will make work more engaging for everyone involved. Despite the positive outlook, Jassy also indicated that Amazon anticipates a reduction in its workforce as the company integrates new technologies. He noted, "We will need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today, and more people doing other types of jobs… It's hard to know exactly where this nets out over time, but in the next few years, we expect that this will reduce our total corporate workforce as we get efficiency gains from using AI extensively across the company." The trend toward automation is echoed by other industry leaders as well. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff recently claimed that AI accounts for 30% to 50% of the work at his company, while Klarna's CEO mentioned a significant workforce reduction of 40% due to AI investments and natural attrition. Notably, Amazon has already laid off over 27,000 employees since the beginning of 2023 and has announced additional layoffs in its retail and devices segments, according to reports from CNBC. The future of work is undeniably evolving, and the implications of AI on job markets are becoming increasingly apparent.