Amazon Robotics VP Scott Dresser Says Robotics Remains A ‘Strategic Priority’ Despite Layoffs – AfroTech
Amazon’s latest round of layoffs is affecting its robotics unit, according to Business Insider.
Layoffs Explained
It is not clear how many individuals were laid off in the unit, but a spokesperson confirmed it was a “relatively small number of robotics roles,” per Business Insider. Amazon Robotics VP Scott Dresser stated the layoffs were “difficult” yet “necessary.” The layoffs also do not reflect the company’s commitment to robotics. It remains a “strategic priority,” he told the outlet.
A spokesperson told Business Insider that Amazon will continue to “hire and invest in strategic areas.”
“We regularly review our organizations to make sure teams are best set up to innovate and deliver for our customers,” the spokesperson continued, according to Business Insider. “We don’t make these decisions lightly, and we’re committed to supporting employees whose roles are affected with severance pay, health insurance benefits, and job placement support.”
This layoff follows Amazon’s announcement in January that it planned to cut 16,000 jobs to “remove bureaucracy” from the company, in an email sent mistakenly to Amazon employees by Colleen Aubrey, a senior vice president at Amazon Web Services (AWS), according to the BBC.
“This is a continuation of the work we’ve been doing for more than a year to strengthen the company by reducing layers, increasing ownership, and removing bureaucracy, so that we can move faster for customers,” the email mentioned, according to BBC.
“Changes like this are hard on everyone. These decisions are difficult and made thoughtfully as we position our organization and AWS for future success,” the email continued.
In October 2025, Amazon reduced its workforce by 14,000, Reuters reported. Prior to this, Amazon also trimmed jobs in its devices and services, books, podcasts, and public relations units, among others, Reuters also mentioned.
Amazon’s global workforce is estimated at 1.5 million, notes the outlet. About 10% of Amazon’s workforce are white-collar employees, while the majority are hourly staff who work in warehouse fulfillment centers.
