Tag: Amazon

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Leaders

Amazon CEO meets PM Modi, commits $48 bn

Amazon has announced a massive $48 billion investment plan for India through 2030, reaffirming its long-term commitment to one of its fastest-growing markets. The announcement was made by Amazon CEO Andy Jassy after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

The new commitment includes an additional $13 billion for expanding artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud infrastructure, taking Amazon’s planned investment in India between 2026 and 2030 to $48 billion. The latest funding builds on the $35 billion investment plan the company announced last year. Overall, Amazon’s cumulative investments in India from 2010 to 2030 are expected to cross $88 billion.

A significant portion of the fresh investment will be used to strengthen Amazon Web Services (AWS) by expanding data centre capacity in Mumbai and Hyderabad. The company said the move will help startups, businesses and government organisations access advanced AI tools, cloud technologies and computing infrastructure to accelerate innovation.

Amazon is also stepping up its e-commerce and logistics network. This year, it plans to open more than 20 new fulfilment centres and over 100 delivery stations, with a stronger focus on improving services in smaller cities and expanding faster delivery options. The company is simultaneously scaling up its quick-commerce business as demand for rapid deliveries continues to grow across urban India.

Speaking about India’s growth story, Jassy said Amazon’s priorities closely align with the country’s focus on AI adoption, digital transformation, job creation and support for small businesses. He described India as an increasingly important global hub for cloud computing and AI, citing strong demand for digital infrastructure.

Amazon said its long-term plans also include supporting 3.8 million jobs, enabling $80 billion in cumulative exports, helping millions of small businesses adopt AI technologies and expanding digital skills initiatives.

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Technology

OnePlus N Series soon to launch in India

OnePlus has officially put up a teaser about the launch of its new N smartphone series in India, signaling the company’s return to the highly competitive budget smartphone market. A teaser page has gone live on Amazon India, confirming that the new lineup will be available through the e-commerce platform after launch.

While OnePlus has not yet revealed the exact launch date, multiple reports suggest that the N series could debut in India sometime in July. The upcoming smartphones are expected to be priced below Rs 20,000, making them the most affordable OnePlus devices currently available in the country.

The N series is likely to sit below the Nord lineup in OnePlus’ product portfolio. At present, the OnePlus Nord CE 6 Lite is the company’s most affordable smartphone in India. Industry reports indicate that the new N series could replace it as the brand’s entry-level offering.

The teaser campaign highlights OnePlus’ intention to strengthen its presence in the mass-market smartphone segment, where brands such as Redmi, Realme, Poco, Vivo and iQOO currently dominate. Analysts believe the move could help OnePlus attract first-time smartphone buyers as well as consumers looking for affordable devices with premium features.

Although official specifications remain under wraps, reports suggest that the N series may focus on delivering a balanced combination of performance, battery life and software experience at a lower price point. Some leaks also hint that the devices could borrow features from OnePlus models launched in other markets.

The N branding is not entirely new for OnePlus, as the company has previously sold Nord N-series smartphones in select international markets. However, this would be the first time the N series is introduced officially in India.

With the teaser now live and a “Notify Me” option available on Amazon, more details about the smartphones, including specifications, pricing and launch offers, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

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Corporate

Amazon expands in Europe with AI robots

Amazon has announced a €10 billion investment in Europe and unveiled an upgraded version of its Proteus robot, marking a significant step in the company’s automation strategy.

The Proteus robot is designed to transport carts and inventory within warehouses while operating safely around workers. Amazon said the new technology will help streamline operations, improve efficiency and support faster order fulfilment.

The investment package includes expansion of logistics infrastructure, technology development and workforce training initiatives across several European countries. The company expects the programme to create approximately 25,000 jobs in the region.

Amazon emphasized that robotics and AI technologies will complement human workers by handling repetitive tasks and allowing employees to focus on more skilled responsibilities.

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Technology

Amazon bets on AI retail store in India

Amazon has launched an AI-focused online store in India, marking a strategic push to capitalise on the fast-growing demand for artificial intelligence-powered consumer electronics.

The new storefront groups together AI-enabled products across categories such as smartphones, laptops, televisions, and home appliances, reflecting how AI is becoming central to the next wave of tech upgrades.

Industry trends show that consumers are no longer treating AI as a niche feature. Instead, it is increasingly influencing buying decisions, especially in premium and mid-range devices. Searches for AI-enabled products have seen strong year-on-year growth, with computing devices and smart entertainment products leading the surge.

A notable shift is the geographic spread of this demand. A large share of interest is now coming from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, pointing to deeper market penetration and a broader digital adoption curve across India.

The AI Store is designed to align with this shift by simplifying discovery. It explains AI features in practical terms—how devices improve efficiency, personalise usage, and automate everyday tasks—rather than focusing purely on specifications.

This approach also helps address a key challenge in the AI device market: consumer awareness. While many products advertise AI capabilities, users often struggle to understand their real value. By making these benefits clearer, Amazon is attempting to bridge that gap.

The launch comes even as the electronics sector faces rising input costs and supply chain pressures. Despite this, the company is positioning AI as a long-term growth driver, expecting continued demand for smarter, more adaptive devices.

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Beyond

Amazon Cloud facility damaged in Bahrain strike

Amazon’s cloud services infrastructure in Bahrain has reportedly suffered damage following a suspected strike linked to Iran, signalling how geopolitical conflicts are increasingly affecting critical technology systems.

The incident is believed to have impacted facilities run by Amazon Web Services (AWS), a major global provider of cloud computing services. While the full extent of the damage has not been officially disclosed, sources indicate that the disruption could affect services relying on AWS’s Bahrain region.

Authorities in Bahrain confirmed that emergency teams were deployed to handle a fire at a company facility. Officials attributed the incident to external aggression but stopped short of directly naming Amazon in their initial statements.

This development comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and Western allies, with reports suggesting that infrastructure linked to U.S. companies has become a potential target. Analysts believe such actions may be intended not only to cause disruption but also to send a strategic message about the vulnerability of foreign investments in the region.

AWS plays a crucial role in supporting digital operations for businesses, governments, and online platforms worldwide. Any disruption to its infrastructure can have ripple effects across sectors, including banking, e-commerce, and communication services that depend on stable cloud access.

This is not the first time Amazon’s Bahrain operations have faced challenges in recent weeks, indicating a pattern of instability tied to the broader conflict. Experts warn that as modern warfare evolves, non-military targets such as data centres are increasingly at risk.

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Corporate

Drone activity disrupts Amazon AWS in Bahrain

Amazon has reported a disruption in its cloud operations in Bahrain after drone activity impacted its Amazon Web Services (AWS) systems amid ongoing tensions in West Asia.

According to the company, the Bahrain AWS region experienced service interruptions following the incident. While it remains unclear whether the facility itself was directly hit, the disruption has affected services relying on the region. This is the second such outage reported in recent weeks.

Amazon said it is actively working to restore services and has recommended that customers switch to other AWS regions to maintain continuity. AWS supports a wide range of businesses and institutions globally, making any disruption significant for operations and data access.

The incident comes amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the region, where drone and missile activity has increasingly targeted infrastructure. While earlier attacks were largely focused on energy assets, recent developments suggest that digital and cloud infrastructure are also at risk.

Previous disruptions in the region had already raised concerns about the vulnerability of major data centres operating in conflict zones. The latest incident further highlights the growing exposure of technology networks to security threats.

Amazon stated that it is coordinating with local authorities and prioritising the safety of its staff while assessing the situation. However, the company has not disclosed the extent of the damage or provided a timeline for full restoration of services.

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Corporate

Amazon buys Rivr to test stair-climbing robots for deliveries

Amazon has acquired Swiss robotics startup Rivr as it looks to strengthen its delivery network using automation. The deal, for which financial details were not shared, focuses on improving the “last-mile”, the final and often most challenging step of delivering packages to customers.

Rivr, based in Zurich, has developed delivery robots designed to handle real-world obstacles that typically limit automation. Unlike traditional wheeled robots, Rivr’s machines can climb stairs, move over uneven surfaces, and navigate tight urban spaces. This makes them better suited for reaching customers’ doorsteps directly, especially in cities and apartment complexes.

The robots use a mix of wheels and leg-like movements, allowing them to travel efficiently while still adapting to complex terrain. They are designed to carry packages from delivery vans to homes, potentially reducing the physical workload for human delivery workers and speeding up the process.

Amazon has been investing in robotics for years, especially inside its warehouses. With this acquisition, the company is now focusing more on applying advanced automation to outdoor delivery. The goal is to make deliveries faster, more efficient, and less dependent on manual labour, particularly in areas where logistics can be difficult.

The timing of the deal reflects growing interest in solving last-mile challenges, which remain one of the most expensive parts of e-commerce operations. While Amazon has tested delivery robots before, scaling them has been difficult due to issues like navigation and safety. Rivr’s technology could help overcome some of these hurdles.

Such robots could play a key role in the future of deliveries, especially in densely populated cities where traditional methods face delays. However, large-scale deployment is likely to take time, as companies test the technology in real-world conditions.

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Corporate

Amazon announces 90-day code safety reset

Amazon has announced a 90-day “code safety reset” after a series of technical issues disrupted its online platform. The move comes after some outages were linked to software changes created with the help of artificial intelligence tools.

According to reports, the problems affected Amazon’s systems that handle orders and deliveries, causing website errors and cancelled orders for some customers. The incidents prompted the company to review how its engineers write and release software updates.

As part of the reset, Amazon has introduced stricter rules for engineers working on its most critical systems. For the next 90 days, developers must follow additional safety checks before releasing new code. This includes getting at least two engineers to review the code and properly documenting any changes before they go live.

The new measures will apply to around 335 “Tier-1 systems”, which are Amazon’s most important services that directly affect customers. These systems include parts of the platform responsible for shopping, payments and order processing.

Reports suggest that some of the recent issues were connected to the growing use of AI-assisted coding tools, including Amazon’s own internal AI assistant called Q. These tools help engineers write code faster, but they can sometimes introduce errors if the code is not carefully checked.

By introducing stricter reviews and documentation requirements, Amazon hopes to reduce the chances of similar problems in the future. The company also wants engineers to slow down and focus more on stability when making changes to critical systems.

The safety reset will also involve closer monitoring of software updates and stronger approval processes before any changes are implemented.

Industry experts say the move highlights the challenges companies face as they increasingly rely on AI to speed up software development. While AI tools can improve productivity, they also require careful oversight to avoid unexpected errors.

Amazon said the 90-day period will give the company time to review its development practices and strengthen safeguards.

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Technology

Amazon starts AI platform for healthcare administration

Amazon has introduced a new artificial intelligence-powered platform designed to help healthcare providers automate routine administrative work and improve efficiency in hospitals and clinics. The tool has been launched by Amazon Web Services (AWS), the company’s cloud computing division.

The new platform is built to handle several time-consuming administrative processes that healthcare workers typically manage manually. These include tasks such as appointment scheduling, verifying patient details, reviewing medical histories, preparing clinical notes and generating billing codes.

Administrative work is a major challenge for many healthcare systems around the world. Doctors and nurses often spend significant time on paperwork and data entry, which can reduce the time available for patient care. With the new AI platform, Amazon aims to streamline these processes so that healthcare professionals can focus more on treating patients.

The system can interact with patients through voice or digital communication channels to help book appointments and answer routine queries. It can also access and organise patient information, making it easier for medical staff to review records and prepare documentation during consultations.

According to the company, the platform is designed to integrate with existing electronic health record systems used by hospitals and clinics. This allows healthcare organisations to adopt the technology without replacing their current infrastructure.

The AI tool is also capable of assisting with tasks after a patient visit. It can automatically generate summaries of consultations, prepare documentation and create billing codes required for insurance claims and payments.

Amazon says the system can operate continuously, helping hospitals manage patient requests at any time of the day. In cases where the AI cannot resolve a request, the issue can be transferred to human staff for further assistance.

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Leaders

Amazon AGI Chief David Luan resigns

David Luan, who heads Amazon’s Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) lab, has announced that he will leave the company. Luan shared the update publicly, saying he plans to step away by the end of the week to focus on new opportunities in artificial intelligence research.

Luan joined Amazon in June 2024 after the company acquired his startup, Adept AI Labs. The deal brought him and several members of his team into Amazon, where they became part of a newly created AGI division based in San Francisco. The lab was set up to work on advanced AI systems, including agent-based technologies that can perform tasks with minimal human input.

During his time at Amazon, Luan played a key role in building and launching Nova Act, an AI agent designed to complete tasks autonomously in a web browser. The technology was integrated into services such as Alexa’s upgraded experiences and positioned as a competitor to similar tools developed by other major AI players.

In his farewell note, Luan thanked Amazon’s leadership, including CEO Andy Jassy, and highlighted the progress made in scaling AI models and developing new research capabilities. He suggested that rapid advancements in artificial intelligence influenced his decision to pursue fresh challenges in the field.

Following his departure, oversight of the AGI team will move under Peter DeSantis, a senior executive within Amazon Web Services (AWS). The leadership change comes as Amazon continues to streamline and strengthen its AI operations amid intense global competition.

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