More than 1,000 Amazon workers have signed an Amazon employees open letter addressed to CEO Andy Jassy, expressing serious concerns about the company’s aggressive artificial intelligence development. The employees, organized under Amazon Employees for Climate Justice (AECJ), urge the company to slow down its rapid AI rollout. Consequently, they warn that the current approach could harm democracy, jobs, and the environment.
The letter criticizes Amazon’s “warp-speed” approach to AI implementation. Additionally, employees believe the company focuses too heavily on profits and technological advancement while ignoring potential damages. “We, the undersigned Amazon employees, have serious concerns about this aggressive rollout during the global rise of authoritarianism,” the letter states. Furthermore, workers emphasize their responsibility to intervene since they develop, train, and use AI systems daily.
Environmental concerns form a major part of the criticism. Amazon pledged in 2019 to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. However, the company’s emissions have actually grown by 35 percent since that commitment. Moreover, Amazon plans to spend $150 billion on new AI data centers. Many of these facilities will be located in drought-prone areas, consuming scarce water resources and requiring energy that might keep coal or gas plants running.
The employees also highlight that Amazon Web Services helps oil companies drill for more oil and gas. Subsequently, this leads to increased carbon emissions, contradicting the company’s climate goals. Meanwhile, Amazon reportedly blocked laws that would have required data centers to use clean energy.
Job security represents another significant concern. CEO Andy Jassy wants more AI tools and “agents” integrated throughout Amazon operations. Therefore, employees fear this could result in fewer human workers. While Jassy claims remaining jobs will be “exciting and fun,” workers worry about higher workloads, shorter deadlines, and tasks implemented solely to justify AI adoption.
The letter also criticizes Amazon’s broader industry practices. The company has joined other tech giants like Meta, Microsoft, and Google in lobbying against government AI regulation for ten years. Additionally, Amazon is challenging the National Labor Relations Board, which protects workers’ rights. Furthermore, Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post, giving him influence over media coverage and public perception of AI.
The signatories demand immediate action from Amazon. They want the company to power all data centers with renewable energy. Similarly, they insist Amazon stop building AI tools for oil and gas companies. Moreover, they call for ethical AI working groups that give employees meaningful input in AI deployment decisions.
Specifically, employees demand no AI built with dirty energy, no AI without employee input, and no AI used for violence, surveillance, or mass deportations. These demands aim to ensure responsible AI development that considers both environmental and social impacts.
At least 1,039 Amazon employees have signed the letter so far, with numbers continuing to grow. Additionally, over 2,400 people outside Amazon have shown support. These supporters include workers from Microsoft, Google, Meta, Apple, Uber, Salesforce, Cisco, SpaceX, Boeing, Washington Post, Oracle, Walmart, Target, and Starbucks.
Over 1,000 #Amazon employees have signed an open letter expressing “serious concerns” about #AI development, a month after the company announced mass #layoff plans to increase the use of AI in its operations.https://t.co/Oi3XVKDE3p
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— Business Standard (@bsindia) November 29, 2025
The Amazon employees open letter comes just one month after Amazon announced plans to lay off 14,000 corporate workers, reversing its pandemic hiring spree while simultaneously increasing AI implementation across operations.
