Staff Reporter

Software engineers at Amazon report that artificial intelligence is changing their work dynamic—not by replacing them, but by pushing them to code at a faster pace and meet higher output targets.

This shift has raised concerns that AI is turning thoughtful programming into a more assembly line-like job, reminiscent of the automation wave that transformed Amazon’s warehouses.

“My team is about half the size it was last year,” one engineer told the New York Times, adding, “but we’re expected to produce the same amount of code thanks to AI.”

Developers described a culture where using AI is technically optional, but not adopting it risks falling behind. Tasks that once took weeks to complete must now be delivered in days.

Feedback sessions have become shorter, and engineers are encouraged to let AI not only suggest code but also write entire programs.

“It’s more fun to write code than to read code,” said Simon Willison, a longtime programmer and blogger. “When you’re working with these tools, code review is most of the job.”

Amazon has defended these changes. In a recent letter to shareholders, CEO Andy Jassy referred to generative AI as a means of enhancing “productivity and cost avoidance,” particularly in coding.

“If we don’t deliver what our customers want as quickly as possible, our competitors will,” he wrote. The company also promotes the development of new internal AI tools through hackathons and claims to regularly review staffing to ensure workloads are manageable.

Despite this, three current engineers told the Times that deadlines have become increasingly rigid, with output expectations rising quietly. One engineer noted that AI is now used to write memos and test software—tasks that once provided valuable learning experiences for junior staff. There are concerns that automating such work could hinder skill development and limit opportunities for promotions.

Amazon spokesman Brad Glasser stated that AI is meant to enhance engineers’ expertise, not replace it, and emphasized that the company’s promotion paths remain clear and performance-based.

However, the shift has sparked broader unease within Amazon. A group called Amazon Employees for Climate Justice has become a platform for voicing worker concerns, including those related to AI.

“The complaints have focused on what their careers will look like,” said Eliza Pan, a former Amazon employee and spokesperson for the group. “And it’s not just about their careers, but also the quality of the work.”

For Amazon’s engineers, the parallels to warehouse workers are striking. They’ve witnessed a shift from walking miles each day to standing still as robots deliver inventory—boosting efficiency but making jobs more repetitive. “Now,” one engineer remarked, “it feels like we’re going through the same thing.”