New Delhi, February 28: Amazon’s CEO Andy Jassy has dismissed fears of mass job losses due to artificial intelligence, calling them overblown. In a recent media interview, Jassy argued that AI will fundamentally reshape how work is done rather than wipe out employment entirely.
He acknowledged that roles heavily reliant on human labor over the past two to three decades may require fewer workers in the future. ‘We’ve employed large numbers of people for certain tasks in the last 20-30 years, and we won’t need that many going forward,’ Jassy stated. However, he emphasized that this shift won’t lead to unemployment catastrophe.
Drawing parallels to historical technological revolutions, Jassy pointed out that every major innovation—from electricity to the internet—has created entirely new job categories. ‘New jobs will emerge, just as they always have during technological transformations,’ he predicted confidently.
This perspective aligns with broader industry analyses. A recent Morgan Stanley report echoes Jassy’s optimism, suggesting AI’s long-term impact on employment may not be as dire as feared. While some positions could be automated, most workers will transition to emerging roles that don’t even exist today.
The brokerage firm cited over 150 years of tech disruptions, including mechanized farming, computers, and spreadsheets. In the 1980s, spreadsheets reduced clerical tasks but empowered financial professionals to tackle more complex, high-value work. Far from decimating the finance sector, this evolution spawned new career paths and boosted productivity.
Jassy’s comments come amid growing public anxiety over AI’s rapid advancement. Tech giants like Amazon are heavily investing in AI tools, from warehouse automation to customer service chatbots. Yet, leaders like Jassy urge a balanced view: adaptation, not apocalypse.
As AI integrates deeper into daily operations, upskilling and reskilling programs will be crucial. Governments and companies must collaborate to prepare workforces for this dynamic future, ensuring technological progress benefits society at large.