More than 1,000 Amazon employees have issued a strong warning to CEO Andy Jassy, signing an open letter that demands the tech giant slow down its fast-paced deployment of artificial intelligence. The letter, organised by the group Amazon Employees for Climate Justice (AECJ), criticises what workers call the company’s “warp-speed” approach to AI — one they believe prioritises profit and innovation over safety, ethics, and climate responsibility.
In the letter, employees say the current AI push comes at a dangerous moment. “During a global increase in authoritarianism and a critical decade for climate action, this reckless AI expansion threatens democracy, our jobs, and the planet,” the letter reads. Workers argue that as the people who build and operate AI systems, they have an obligation to speak up.
Climate Concerns and Resource Strain
Amazon has pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, but employees point out that the company’s emissions have actually risen 35% since 2019. They warn that Amazon’s plan to invest $150 billion in new AI data centers could make the situation worse.
Workers say many upcoming data centers are located in drought-prone regions, consuming large quantities of water and relying on energy sources that may extend the life of coal and gas plants. They also accuse Amazon of opposing legislation that would require data centers to run on clean energy.
The letter further criticises Amazon Web Services (AWS) for supporting oil and gas companies in expanding fossil fuel extraction, which contributes heavily to global carbon emissions.
Job Security and Worker Rights
Employees also raise alarms about CEO Andy Jassy’s push to integrate more AI “agents” internally — a move they fear will reduce the need for human workers. While Jassy has described future roles as “exciting and fun,” staff say the reality is increased workloads, tighter deadlines, and efficiency demands created solely to introduce AI systems.
The letter adds that Amazon is challenging the National Labor Relations Board, a move workers see as undermining their rights and protections.
Lobbying and Influence
According to the group, Amazon is part of a broader alliance with companies like Meta, Google, and Microsoft that has spent a decade lobbying against stronger government oversight of AI. Employees also point out that founder Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post, giving him potential influence over how AI-related issues are portrayed in media.
“None of this is inevitable,” the employees write, insisting that the company can still choose a safer and more ethical path.
What Employees Are Demanding
The signatories call for immediate steps to ensure responsible AI development. Their key demands include:
- No AI systems powered by fossil fuels
- Employee involvement in AI decision-making
- A ban on AI for surveillance, violence, or mass deportation
- Powering all data centers with 100% renewable energy
- Ending the creation of AI tools for oil and gas companies
- Establishing ethical AI working groups with genuine worker participation
So far, 1,039 Amazon employees have signed the letter, with the number rising steadily. In addition, more than 2,400 supporters outside the company — including workers from Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Uber, Salesforce, Boeing, SpaceX, Oracle, Walmart, Target, Starbucks, and even The Washington Post — have signed in solidarity.