More than 1,000 Amazon employees have signed an open letter expressing concern that the company’s accelerated push into artificial intelligence could threaten jobs, weaken democratic systems, and worsen environmental harm. The letter, published on Wednesday, November 26, follows Amazon’s announcement earlier this year that it planned to cut up to 14,000 corporate roles worldwide.
The letter was signed by workers across multiple roles, including engineers, product managers and warehouse staff, and has also received support from more than 2,400 employees from Microsoft, Meta, Google and Apple. In the document, workers accuse Amazon of pursuing what they describe as an “all-costs-justified, warp-speed” approach to AI adoption, warning that the pace of deployment may come at the expense of worker safety, public interest and the environment. “We believe the all-costs-justified, warp-speed approach to AI development will do staggering damage to democracy, to our jobs, and to the Earth,” the letter stated.
The employees argue that Amazon is scaling AI infrastructure without adequate attention to climate impact. Despite committing to net-zero emissions by 2040, Amazon’s carbon output has risen by more than 35% since 2019. The workers also criticised plans to invest roughly $150 billion into AI-focused data centres, some of which are expected to be built in water-stressed regions where energy demands could keep coal and gas plants running. The group claims Amazon has pushed back against clean-energy regulation for data centres while AWS continues to support oil and gas exploration.
Beyond environmental concerns, employees say the rapid integration of AI could displace workers, increase productivity pressures, and expand workplace surveillance. They cite comments by CEO Andy Jassy suggesting that the company expects to rely on fewer human staff as AI tools become more widespread. According to the letter, warehouse employees are already experiencing faster work rates, increased monitoring, injuries and burnout, while development teams report intensified workloads and tighter timelines.
The letter also accuses Amazon of supporting the development of surveillance and autonomous warfare technology, and of participating, alongside other major tech companies, in lobbying efforts to restrict state-level AI regulations for the next decade. Workers warn that such moves could empower governments and corporations while weakening public oversight.
The signatories are urging Amazon leadership to rethink its AI strategy and adopt safeguards to ensure both ethical development and worker protection. They call for AI systems that do not rely on fossil-fuel-driven energy, a formal role for employees in decision-making on AI development, and the exclusion of AI from tools used for violence, surveillance or mass deportation.
The letter remains publicly accessible on amazonclimatejustice.org, where more staff from within Amazon and the wider tech industry continue to sign anonymously.
