Seattle Now Amazon just slashed its workforce, again
Jan 29, 2026
Monica Nickelsburg, KUOW’s AI and economy reporter and Booming co-host, covers Amazon’s recent 16,000-person cut and what it signals for the company’s future. She lays out which roles and regions were hit, how pandemic hiring and AI pressures shaped the moves, and the local ripple effects on Seattle’s jobs and businesses.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Amazon's Biggest Workforce Reduction
- Amazon has cut 30,000 corporate jobs across two waves, the largest reduction in its history.
- The company says it is correcting pandemic-era overhiring and reducing bureaucracy to become more efficient.
Planner Hired In 2020 Then Laid Off
- Monica spoke with Matt McLean, who was hired during the pandemic to plan staffing and was later laid off in October.
- His experience illustrates hiring ramp-up during demand spikes followed by subsequent cuts.
AI Is Not Cited But Looms Large
- Amazon publicly denies AI caused the layoffs but employees report AI tools are expected to raise individual productivity.
- The company appears to expect remaining staff to do "more with less" using automation.