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The growing concerns about AI within Amazon have taken a big form. More than 1,000 employees have written an open letter to CEO Andy Jassy raising questions on the company’s fast-paced AI strategy. Employees say they want a better and responsible future of AI, not a system that harms the environment, jobs and people’s freedoms.
New Delhi. These days, there is not only code but also a lot of movement in the offices of the world’s largest company Amazon. Those employees who themselves create, train and run Artificial Intelligence (AI) have now stood against the same AI. Thousands of Amazon workers have together sent an open letter to CEO Andy Jassy, which has created a stir in the tech industry. He says that this uncontrolled race of AI will crush not only the machines but also the future of humans. Employees are clearly warning that if we do not stop now, AI will swallow the future of our democracy, jobs and the planet.
The letter written to CEO Andy Jassy has been secretly signed by more than 1,000 employees, including engineers, product managers, warehouse staff and even employees working on AI systems. Employees say Amazon is leaving climate promises and human employees behind in its rush to get ahead in the ‘AI race’. The letter claims that the company’s AI data centers will consume a lot of water and energy, which will have a serious impact on the environment. Also, they say that the increasing use of AI has led to job insecurity, increased workload and increased surveillance.
Employees also alleged that Amazon is colluding with governments and agencies to create an environment of excessive surveillance and advance AI in ways that could threaten democracy and human security.
3 major demands have been made in the open letter
- AI powered only by clean energy
- Employees’ opinions and rights on AI
- Stop using AI for violence, surveillance and mass deportation.
The employees wrote that they want a future where AI gives humans more time, security and creative freedom, rather than creating a system that jeopardizes the environment, rights and freedoms. Employees say, “This is a very important time in history, we have to take the right decisions so that we can be proud of the future.”
