Amazon engineers in Seattle slam employer for building AI data centers while laying off 30,000 staffers

Amazon engineers testified before the Seattle City Council on Wednesday in support of regulating the company's AI data centre development. The testimony came as Amazon faces scrutiny over its rapid expansion of data centre infrastructure, which critics argue consumes excessive energy and water resources.

Amazon is spending $200 billion on AI infrastructure while simultaneously laying off 30,000 employees, according to the engineers and public records. The engineers cited the need for oversight on environmental impact and community displacement. One engineer stated at the hearing that the data centres could 'consume more energy than downtown Seattle.'

The layoffs affect multiple divisions, though Amazon has not confirmed the exact number. The company has framed the workforce reduction as part of a restructuring to focus on AI and cloud computing. Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the testimony. The Seattle City Council is considering a proposal to require permits for data centres over a certain size.