Amazon Reportedly Lays Off 250 Employees in Devices Division Amid AI Investments

Amazon has reportedly laid off 250 employees in its devices division on October 28, 2026, affecting teams responsible for products including Kindle e-readers and Echo smart speakers. Software development positions were among the hardest hit by the latest round of job cuts.

Although Amazon is headquartered in the United States, its devices division operates globally. The specific regions and locations affected by the layoffs have not been disclosed.

Affected employees were reportedly informed of the decision through emails and text messages early in the morning.

According to a media report citing an internal email from Cherie Robinson, a vice president at Amazon, the layoffs followed a comprehensive review of the division’s organisational structure.

The company confirmed the workforce reductions but did not disclose the exact number of affected positions. The figure of 250 employees was reported separately.

Why Amazon Is Cutting Jobs in Its Devices Division

Amazon said the decision to reduce its workforce was intended to improve operational efficiency and support its product strategy.

A company representative confirmed that a small number of employees had been affected by the restructuring.

According to the representative, the changes would allow Amazon to execute its product strategy more effectively while reducing costs.

The company did not provide a detailed breakdown of the affected teams or geographical locations.

The use of early-morning email notifications is not unique to Amazon. Technology companies including Meta and Oracle have previously used similar methods to inform employees about workforce reductions.

The latest restructuring comes as Amazon continues to evaluate its operations while increasing its focus on artificial intelligence.

Amazon’s AI Strategy and Software Development Changes

The layoffs follow an internal document circulated by Amazon’s technical leadership in September 2026, outlining the company’s expectations for software developers in the artificial intelligence era.

The memo emphasised the importance of adapting to AI-driven changes in software engineering.

According to the document, employees were expected to understand and adopt the shift towards AI to prevent the company from falling behind.

It also indicated that artificial intelligence would become central to software engineering processes.

The document was circulated approximately one month before the latest layoffs in Amazon’s devices division.

However, the company has not directly attributed the October 28 job cuts to AI adoption.

Amazon’s Latest Layoffs Follow Earlier Workforce Reductions

The latest round of layoffs follows several workforce reductions across Amazon’s operations.

Earlier in October 2026, the company reportedly eliminated more than 1,000 positions in its retail division.

Amazon had also announced 16,000 job cuts in January 2026, following 14,000 layoffs in October 2025.

These reductions come as the company continues investing heavily in artificial intelligence.

According to the supplied report, Amazon is expected to spend up to $220 billion on artificial intelligence in 2026.

The company is therefore pursuing substantial technology investments while restructuring parts of its workforce.

Technology Sector Faces Continued Job Cuts

Amazon’s workforce reductions come amid broader layoffs across the technology industry.

According to Layoffs.fyi, more than 135,000 technology-sector positions have been eliminated so far in 2026.

Other technology companies have also announced workforce changes.

Dropbox has said it is reducing its global workforce by 9%.

Meanwhile, approximately 60,000 Microsoft employees, representing one-quarter of its total workforce, have reportedly been offered the option to leave voluntarily.

These developments reflect ongoing workforce adjustments across technology companies, although the reasons and circumstances vary between organisations.

Amazon Introduces Five New Alexa-Powered Devices

Despite the layoffs, Amazon continued expanding its consumer devices portfolio.

On October 28, 2026, the same day as the reported workforce reductions, the company introduced five new Alexa-powered devices.

The products included a revised Echo Show 16, an Alexa Photo Frame and an Echo Time bedside clock.

The launches came as Amazon continued developing its devices business while restructuring parts of the teams responsible for its products.

The simultaneous product announcements and workforce reductions highlight the company’s efforts to manage operating costs while continuing its product development strategy.

Amazon has not disclosed whether the latest layoffs will affect future product development schedules or launches.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many employees did Amazon lay off in October 2026?

Amazon reportedly laid off 250 employees in its devices division on October 28, 2026. The company confirmed the reductions but did not disclose an official figure.

2. Which Amazon division was affected by the layoffs?

The layoffs affected Amazon’s devices division, which develops products including Kindle e-readers and Echo smart speakers. Software development positions were among the hardest hit.

3. Why did Amazon announce the latest layoffs?

Amazon said the restructuring was intended to improve the execution of its product strategy and reduce operating costs.

4. How many technology jobs have been cut in 2026?

According to Layoffs.fyi, more than 135,000 technology-sector positions have been eliminated so far in 2026.

5. Did Amazon launch new products on the day of the layoffs?

Yes. Amazon introduced five new Alexa-powered devices on October 28, 2026, including a revised Echo Show 16, an Alexa Photo Frame and an Echo Time bedside clock.