It’s the kind of headline no one expected from Amazon — the company that once promised stability.

On Tuesday, the tech giant confirmed it will cut 14,000 corporate jobs, the first wave in a plan that could reach 30,000 layoffs. All while Amazon’s profits rise and its stock holds steady.

“People ask why we’re cutting when the company is doing well,” one HR executive admitted. “But the world is changing fast — AI is transforming everything.”

Behind the polished corporate language lies a deeper truth: machines are quietly taking over. From warehouses to boardrooms, artificial intelligence is replacing roles once held by people. “It’s hard to know where this nets out,” CEO Andy Jassy said. “But it will change how our work is done.”

Amazon isn’t alone. Across the U.S., layoffs are up 140% from last year as companies like Microsoft, Target, and Intel trim thousands of jobs — not because they’re failing, but because AI is cheaper, faster, and tireless.

For many, this isn’t just about Amazon. It’s a warning — that even in an age of progress, no career feels truly safe anymore.