AI & IT Future (Issue 3)

🍂 Amazon Layoffs

By C. Clark

🍁 I want to take a moment to unpack what’s happening at Amazon—because if you’re working in tech, operations, engineering, or any business that touches the corporate + logistics world, this matters. Then I’ll share some encouragement and concrete steps for anyone feeling the ripple-effects of this change.

What’s going on

1. Amazon is preparing to cut up to 30,000 corporate jobs—that’s nearly 10 % of its roughly 350,000 corporate workforce. mint+3Reuters+3Seeking Alpha+3

   • These cuts span multiple divisions: human resources (People Experience & Technology or “PXT”), devices & services, operations, and its cloud unit Amazon Web Services (AWS). GeekWire+2Business Insider+2

   • Amazon says this is part of a cost-cutting, efficiency-driven reset after what it characterizes as over-hiring during the pandemic surge. mint+1

   • CEO Andy Jassy has signalled that increased use of AI and automation in corporate tasks will reduce staffing needs in the coming years. FOX 13 Seattle+2GeekWire+2

2. Beyond the corporate layer: Amazon is also reportedly planning or exploring large-scale automation in its warehouse and fulfilment operations.

   • Internal and external reports suggest Amazon executives believe up to 500,000 warehouse jobs could eventually be replaced by robots, as the company builds more advanced robotics and automation systems. Reuters+2Yahoo Finance+2

   • One article described how automation in a facility in Louisiana allowed Amazon to employ roughly “a quarter fewer workers than it would have without automation” and projects that by 2033 the company might avoid hiring up to 600,000 workers compared with a non-automated scenario. World Socialist Web Site

3. What this means in broader context:

   • The layoffs are a signal that we’re not just talking about a normal downturn, but structural change—the shift from human labour (especially repetitive, predictable tasks) toward machines, AI, robot-assisted workflows.

   • Even companies that are doing “well” financially are making these moves because they’re looking ahead: the message from Amazon’s leadership is that they’re reorganizing for what’s next, not just what’s now. Business Insider+1

Why this matters to you

As someone with a long history in software engineering, web development, and strong mathematical background, here’s how I see the ripple effects—and why it’s worth paying attention:

• If you’ve spent your career on back-end services, or web and infrastructure that eventually become highly standardized or automated, the demand profile may shift. The “routine” parts of your work may get handled by tools, and the premium will go to those who bring creativity, strategic thinking, domain expertise, cross-discipline understanding (like you have: math + coding + systems thinking).

• The logistics/warehouse side is an extreme example: warehouse roles are highly automatable. But the corporate side is also vulnerable—even some engineering / operations work may be impacted if it becomes commoditized.

• For those of us in tech and engineering leadership: this is a wake-up call to proactively evolve. It’s not just “survive until the next job” but “position yourself for what kind of work will still need a human (or will need a unique human + tool combo)”.

What you can do – encouragement and practical steps

If you’re worried, uncertain, or thinking “what does this mean for me?”, here are some of my thoughts:

1. Lean in on the uniquely human & uniquely you

   • In my case, I bring decades of software engineering experience, a strong math background, and interest across domains. That gives me a foundation to pivot—not just into the next “same kind of job” but into something adjacent or different: perhaps technical writing, systems architecture, consulting, interdisciplinary roles combining tech + math + story.

   • Focus on things automation can’t replicate easily: creativity, judgement, cross-domain synthesis, leadership, mentoring, tooling that blends tech with business strategy.

2. Upskill for the future work

   • Deepen your capabilities in areas where automation supports humans instead of replacing them. For example: AI/ML system design, tooling for human + machine collaboration, data systems, decision support systems.

   • Explore roles that combine your background. In my case, technical writing (which I am interest in), web-based interactive STEM tools (I’ve been exploring that), visualization of complex mathematical/scientific concepts (I'm currently doing this). These are less likely to be purely commoditized.

   • Stay informed about how automation, AI, robotics are evolving in your sector. The layoff-trend is a signal, not the full map.

3. Build your “portfolio” for the unexpected

   • Maintain a strong digital presence: blog, articles, Instagram content (in my case, on the science/math story you’re already creating)—these help broaden your identity beyond “just a software engineer”.

   • Create “side projects” or contributions that may become income streams or opportunities. In my case, my interest in web-based interactive STEM tools, game development + physics interpolation, and SVG/3D interactive graphics are great pivots.

   • Network purposefully: reach out to communities in your areas of interest (In my case, multipotentialite, STEM storytelling, interactive web tools) and connect with people who are already doing that work. This builds options.

4. Mindset & resilience

   • Change is real. It’s easy to become discouraged or feel dislocated—but the same storm that upends roles also opens doors for those who adapt.

   • Keep focusing on what you can control: your skills, the quality of your work, the network you build, your curiosity.

   • Make a plan with flexibility: for example, “I want to be positioned for technical writing + STEM storytelling + interactive web tools by 2026”, and break it into micro-goals (what you already started: blog, Instagram, new tools).

   • Financially: ensure you have stability. Build a buffer, consider multiple income streams, keep options open.

5. Be proactive now, not reactive later

   • Even if you are NOT impacted directly today, the ripple effects across industries mean you don’t want to wait until “job danger” appears. Starting now gives you time to pivot and land ahead of the wave.

   • Use your breadth of interests (in my case, geometry, topology, electromagnetic energy, holograms, STEM visual storytelling) as differentiators. These might lead you into niche but growing spaces where the human + creative + technical intersection is valuable.

In Closing

Yes—the scale of what’s happening at Amazon is sobering. Big companies are using big tools, and the labour landscape is shifting. But that shift also opens opportunities. In my case, my unique background and the multipotentialite mindset I've been recently nurturing, this is my moment to step into the next chapter: one where I can combine my tech depth + math passion + storytelling drive.