E-commerce giant Amazon has announced another round of thousands of job cuts, marking the second mass layoff within a three-month period. The company cited a strategic shift toward artificial intelligence and automation as the primary driver for the workforce reduction. The cuts are expected to impact various departments, particularly in middle management and administrative roles.

Amazon’s leadership stated that the move is necessary to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving tech landscape where AI is becoming the backbone of logistics and customer service. By streamlining its workforce, the company aims to reallocate resources into AI research and the development of autonomous delivery systems.

Labor unions have criticized the move, arguing that the company is prioritizing profits and tech-advancement over the livelihoods of its employees. The news has caused a ripple effect in the tech industry, with other major firms also considering similar AI-driven restructuring. Impacted employees are reportedly being offered severance packages and transition support.