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Technology

Amazon opens second-largest Asia office in Bengaluru

US e-commerce giant Amazon has opened its second-largest office in Asia in Bengaluru, highlighting the city’s importance as a tech and business hub. The new 12-storey campus spreads over 1.1 million square feet on a five-acre site near Yelahanka, about 15 km from Kempegowda International Airport. It will accommodate more than 7,000 employees working in technology, operations, e-commerce, payments, and seller services.

The office is designed to encourage collaboration and employee well-being, with modern workspaces, meeting rooms, breakout zones, landscaped lawns, sports courts, and cafeterias. The campus combines productivity with comfort, reflecting Amazon’s focus on employee experience.

The opening was attended by Karnataka Industries Minister Dr. M.B. Patil, who said the investment shows India’s growing role in global technology and innovation. Samir Kumar, Amazon India Country Manager, said Bengaluru has been central to the company’s growth in India and continues to be a key location for expansion in Asia.

This new office adds to Amazon’s existing operations in Karnataka, where the company runs multiple corporate offices, fulfillment and delivery centers. Amazon has invested over $40 billion in India so far and plans an additional $35 billion by 2030 to expand its business, support local sellers, create jobs, and develop technology.

The Bengaluru campus demonstrates Amazon’s long-term confidence in India’s growth and reinforces the city’s position as a hub for global operations, innovation, and talent.

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Bride’s mehendi features Amazon logo

An Amazon India couple has captured social media attention after the bride incorporated the company’s signature smile logo into her mehendi during their wedding celebrations.

Priyanshi Shrimal and Rajat Verma, who met while working together, chose the design as a tribute to the organisation that brought them closer. The heartwarming video, shared by Amazon’s official social media handle, shows the intricate henna artwork and the couple’s joyful reaction.

Online users praised the thoughtful gesture, calling it a unique blend of professional journey and personal milestone. The groom said the company will always hold a special place in their lives for helping them find each other.

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Amazon to cut 16,000 jobs on Jan 27, Indian teams mostly

Amazon is set to begin a new round of layoffs on January 27, 2026, affecting around 16,000 employees worldwide. This move is part of the company’s ongoing restructuring, which may see nearly 30,000 corporate roles cut by mid-2026.

India teams, particularly in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai, are expected to face the largest impact. Cuts will span key divisions including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Prime Video, retail operations, and HR.

Internal discussions and reports suggest notices may already be circulating, though Amazon has not officially confirmed the details.

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Corporate

Amazon plans 30,000 corporate job cuts

Amazon is preparing to announce another major round of corporate job cuts next week, a move that will take its total planned layoffs to nearly 30,000 roles, according to people familiar with the matter. The decision marks one of the largest workforce reductions in the company’s history and underscores the scale of restructuring underway at the global tech giant.

The upcoming layoffs are expected to affect thousands of employees across corporate functions, following an earlier round of cuts in October last year when Amazon eliminated around 14,000 white-collar jobs. Sources said the second phase could begin as early as next week, with employees being informed in stages.

Teams likely to be impacted include Amazon Web Services (AWS), retail and e-commerce operations, Prime Video, and human resources-related functions, though the company has not officially confirmed the details. Amazon declined to comment on the timing or scale of the cuts.

CEO Andy Jassy has been steadily reshaping Amazon’s corporate structure since taking over, with a clear focus on reducing layers of management, speeding up decision-making, and improving efficiency. In internal communications and public comments, Jassy has said the goal is to create smaller, more accountable teams rather than a sprawling corporate bureaucracy.

While artificial intelligence and automation have played a role in changing how work is done at Amazon, the company has stressed that the layoffs are not solely about replacing people with technology. Instead, the restructuring is aimed at simplifying operations after years of rapid expansion during the pandemic-driven boom in online shopping and cloud services.

If completed as planned, the reduction of nearly 30,000 corporate roles would amount to roughly 10% of Amazon’s corporate workforce. However, it represents only a small share of its total global headcount of about 1.58 million employees, most of whom work in warehouses, logistics, and delivery operations.

In previous layoffs, Amazon allowed affected employees a transition period during which they remained on payroll while exploring internal job opportunities or preparing to exit the company. That grace period for employees impacted in October is nearing its end, adding to the anxiety around the next announcement.

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Technology

Amazon launches new Echo Show 11, Echo Show 8

Amazon has expanded its smart home portfolio in India with the launch of the Echo Show 11 and the new Echo Show 8, offering consumers larger displays, improved audio and more intelligent home control features. The new devices are aimed at users who want a central screen for entertainment, communication and smart home management.

The Echo Show 11 comes with an 11-inch full-HD touchscreen, while the Echo Show 8 features an 8.7-inch HD display with slimmer bezels. Both devices are designed to be used hands-free with Alexa or through touch controls, making them suitable for kitchens, living rooms and workspaces. Users can watch videos, check calendars, follow recipes, make video calls or control connected devices from a single screen.

A key highlight is Amazon’s Omnisense technology, which combines motion detection, presence sensing and temperature monitoring. This allows the Echo Show devices to automate tasks such as switching on lights when someone enters the room or adjusting settings based on activity. The built-in 13-megapixel camera supports auto-framing and noise reduction, ensuring clearer video calls and easier monitoring of compatible security cameras.

Audio performance has also been upgraded. Both models feature front-firing stereo speakers and a custom woofer, delivering louder, clearer sound with deeper bass. Users can stream music from services such as Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, JioSaavn and Audible. Video streaming is supported through Prime Video, Netflix and web access to platforms like YouTube.

Privacy remains a focus, with physical buttons to turn off the microphone and camera, along with settings that allow users to review and delete voice recordings.

In India, the Echo Show 11 is priced at ₹26,999, while the Echo Show 8 costs ₹23,999. Both models are available in Graphite and Glacier White colours through Amazon.in and select retail partners. Amazon has also confirmed that the devices will be compatible with its upcoming Alexa+ AI assistant, promising more natural conversations and smarter assistance in the future.

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Corporate

Amazon to cut 370 jobs at its European headquarters

Amazon has announced that it will cut 370 jobs at its European headquarters in Luxembourg. This is the largest round of layoffs the company has carried out at this office so far.

The job cuts will affect around 8.5 per cent of employees working at the Luxembourg location. Amazon currently has more than 4,300 staff there. The layoffs are expected to begin in early 2026, after talks with employee representatives and approval from local authorities, as required by European labour laws.

Earlier, Amazon had planned to cut up to 470 jobs. However, after discussions with worker unions and the Luxembourg government, the number was reduced to 370. The company has also agreed to provide severance pay and support to employees who lose their jobs. Amazon said this support goes beyond what is legally required.

Reports suggest that software engineers, technical teams and corporate staff will be among the most affected. Many technology companies are cutting jobs as they increase the use of artificial intelligence and automation to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has said the company is trying to simplify its operations. Over the past year, Amazon has already laid off thousands of corporate employees worldwide as part of this strategy.

Despite the job cuts, Amazon said it will continue its operations in Luxembourg, which remains an important base for its European business. The company added that it will still hire for key roles where needed.

For many employees, the announcement has created uncertainty, especially for those who moved from other countries to work in Luxembourg. They may have limited time to find new jobs due to visa rules.

The move shows how even large global companies are changing their workforce plans as business priorities and technology continue to evolve.

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Corporate

Amazon in $10 billion investment talks with OpenAI

Amazon is in early discussions to invest more than $10 billion in OpenAI, the company behind the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT. If the deal goes through, OpenAI’s valuation could exceed $500 billion, reflecting the growing competition among tech giants to lead the fast-expanding artificial intelligence sector.

The potential investment would allow OpenAI to use Amazon’s cloud services and AI chips, strengthening its infrastructure for AI development. OpenAI already spends billions on Amazon Web Services (AWS) but also relies on other suppliers such as Nvidia for AI chips.

Despite the investment, Amazon would not gain the right to sell OpenAI’s most advanced AI models through its cloud platform. Microsoft, a major investor in OpenAI, holds exclusive rights to distribute these models via its Azure cloud services, giving it a significant strategic advantage.

Industry analysts say Amazon’s move is part of a broader trend where cloud providers invest directly in AI companies to gain access to cutting-edge technology. Other AI firms, like Anthropic, have also attracted investment from a mix of tech giants, including Google, Microsoft, and Amazon.

OpenAI has recently reshaped its partnership with Microsoft, allowing it to work with multiple infrastructure providers. This flexibility makes it easier for the company to raise funds and expand its AI offerings. Reports suggest OpenAI is preparing for a future initial public offering (IPO), which could value the company at up to $1 trillion.

No formal announcement has been made, and the terms of the investment are still being negotiated. If finalized, this deal would be among the largest in the AI industry, highlighting how cloud and technology companies are positioning themselves to dominate AI development, cloud infrastructure, and chip supply.

It is a known fact that artificial intelligence is reshaping the tech industry’s strategic partnerships and investment flows. Companies are not only competing to develop the most advanced AI but also to control the infrastructure and services that deliver it to businesses and consumers worldwide.

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Technology

Amazon AI books stir author rights concerns

Amazon has introduced new artificial intelligence features that aim to make reading on Kindle more interactive, but they are raising questions about authors’ control over their work. The company’s latest tool, “Ask This Book,” is now available on the Kindle app for iOS in the United States.

The feature allows readers to ask questions about the book they are reading, such as character details, plot explanations, or background information, and receive instant responses. Importantly, the AI provides spoiler‑free answers, drawing only on the portions of the book the reader has already accessed. Users can activate the tool from the in‑book menu or by highlighting a passage. Amazon says the feature currently works with thousands of popular English-language titles and plans to expand it to Kindle e-readers and Android devices in 2026.

Alongside “Ask This Book,” Amazon has been experimenting with a broader AI initiative called “Ask My Book.” This project can generate responses based directly on the text of a specific book. While the tools are designed to help readers, they have sparked concern among authors and publishers. Many writers worry about copyright and consent issues, questioning whether their work is being used without permission and what control they retain over how their words are processed by AI. Currently, authors and publishers have no option to opt out once their titles are included, which some critics argue could compromise intellectual property rights.

From a reader’s perspective, the new AI features provide convenience and interactivity. They allow quick clarification of confusing passages or exploration of details without leaving the Kindle app or encountering spoilers. Amazon has emphasized that these tools are meant to enhance the reading experience, offering a seamless way for users to engage with books digitally.

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into reading platforms, the tension between innovation and intellectual property rights is likely to grow. Amazon’s approach highlights the balancing act between providing enhanced user experiences and addressing authors’ rights in the age of AI.

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Corporate

Amazon announces $35 billion India growth plan by 2030

Amazon has announced it will invest over $35 billion in India by 2030. This is in addition to the $40 billion it has already invested in the country. The investment will focus on three areas: artificial intelligence, exports, and job creation.

Since 2010, Amazon has helped digitise more than 12 million small businesses in India. It has supported around $20 billion in exports and created 2.8 million jobs, directly or indirectly.

With the new plan, Amazon expects to generate 1 million more jobs by 2030. These jobs will include technology, logistics, operations, customer support, and other related sectors.

Amazon also aims to increase its e-commerce exports from $20 billion to $80 billion by 2030. The company plans to expand access to AI tools for small businesses. This includes improving online shopping experiences with AI features like visual search and multilingual support. Amazon will also offer AI education and training to students.

The announcement was made at the Amazon Smbhav Summit 2025 in New Delhi. The company shared a report highlighting its impact on India’s digital growth, small business empowerment, and job creation over the last decade.

Amazon’s new investment shows its confidence in India’s growing digital economy. It also aligns with national goals to boost AI, strengthen infrastructure, and support small businesses.

This step reinforces Amazon’s commitment to helping India’s economy grow while creating opportunities for millions of people.

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Apple, Amazon, Meta oppose Jio-Vi 6 GHz auction

A new fault line has emerged in India’s digital landscape, with some of the world’s biggest technology companies urging caution just as Indian telecom operators push ahead. Apple, Amazon, Meta, Cisco and others have told TRAI that the 6 GHz band should not be handed over to mobile networks yet, arguing it is better used to strengthen India’s expanding Wi-Fi ecosystem.

Global tech majors submitted a joint response to TRAI’s spectrum consultation, challenging Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea’s push to auction the 6 GHz band for future 5G and 6G use. According to these companies, the upper portion of the band is not technically ready for mobile services and is still under evaluation internationally.

They want regulators to keep the 6425–7125 MHz range unlicensed for now, allowing wider, faster and more affordable Wi-Fi, something they say benefits consumers, small businesses and India’s digital economy more immediately than reallocating it to telecom operators.

Global players have also urged the government to revisit the band only after 2027, when the next World Radiocommunication Conference is expected to lay down clearer global norms for upper-6 GHz usage.

India has already delicensed 500 MHz in the lower 6 GHz band, while about 400 MHz is likely to be auctioned soon. However, Jio wants the entire 1,200 MHz opened for IMT services to support future network growth.

Telecom operators, represented by COAI, argue that delicensing more spectrum will weaken mobile network capacity, hurt long-term planning and reduce government auction revenues.

Chipmaker Qualcomm has echoed Big Tech’s stance, saying India should wait for global clarity before moving the upper 6 GHz band into mobile services.

With both sides presenting sharply different priorities, telcos pushing for future mobile capacity and tech giants backing robust public Wi-Fi, TRAI now faces the challenge of balancing immediate connectivity needs with longer-term spectrum strategy.

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