Amazon Web Services joined the agentic AI frenzy in a big way this week, revealing at a New York City event Wednesday a host of services and tools dubbed Agentcore that let technologists build and deploy so-called AI agents capable of automating internal tasks while potentially overhauling the way consumers interact with online businesses too.

Amazon confirmed layoffs in its AWS cloud division following a strategic review, saying the cuts were not primarily driven by AI. The company continues to hire in key areas.

AWS news in 2025 focuses on AI innovation, Nvidia partnership, agentic AI, partner programs, new chips, billions in data center investments, cloud market share and Bedrock.

Although Amazon maintains that the layoffs are not directly linked to its accelerating investments in AI, the timing of the restructuring coincides with a significant pivot toward GenAI

Data graph platform Apollo GraphQL co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Matt DeBergalis is moving up to CEO, succeeding co-founder and CEO Geoff Schmidt, who will remain at Apollo in a new role focused on advancing the company’s technology and the GraphQL ecosystem.

While the layoffs were confirmed by Amazon, no details were provided. News outlets report that 'at least hundreds of jobs' were cut.

Amazon has confirmed to multiple sources that it has laid off many employees in its Amazon Web (AWS) division, with the news coming after another massive investment in AI technologies.

Amazon lays off hundreds in its AWS division, citing AI-driven changes and broader efficiency efforts across internal cloud and training teams.