In an exclusive interview with the Financial Times, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has pushed back against fears that artificial intelligence will destroy jobs, arguing instead that the technology will create new opportunities for British workers. Speaking from Amazon’s London headquarters, Bezos emphasised that AI development at Amazon is focused on augmenting human capabilities, not replacing them.
“We see AI as a force for empowerment,” Bezos said. “In our fulfilment centres, AI-powered robots handle repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on higher-value work like problem-solving and customer service. This has actually led to more hiring, not less.”
Bezos pointed to the company’s recent announcement of 2,000 new permanent roles across the UK, many in AI-related fields such as machine learning engineering and data analysis. He argued that the UK’s strong tech talent pool and supportive regulatory environment make it an ideal location for Amazon’s AI investments.
However, critics remain sceptical, citing research by the Office for National Statistics that suggests AI could affect 1.5 million jobs in Britain. Bezos acknowledged the concern but warned against a “Luddite” mentality. “Every technological revolution from the steam engine to the internet has displaced some jobs but created far more. The key is retraining and education,” he said.
When pressed on ethical concerns such as algorithm bias and surveillance, Bezos defended Amazon’s strict internal guidelines and external oversight. “We have an AI ethics board, open-source our tools for auditing, and comply with all UK data protection laws. We want to be a model for responsible AI deployment.”
The interview comes amid growing global debate over AI regulation. The UK government recently published its AI whitepaper, favouring a pro-innovation approach. Bezos endorsed this stance but called for international coordination to avoid a “race to the bottom” on ethics.
Industry analysts remain divided. “Bezos’s optimism is typical of tech billionaires,” said Dr. Emily Chen of the London School of Economics. “But the real test will be whether British workers get a fair share of the value AI creates, especially as automation accelerates.”
Nevertheless, the news has boosted Amazon’s stock amid investor jitters about AI regulation. For now, Bezos’s message to British workers is clear: embrace the future, because it’s coming regardless.
