Paris: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has expressed strong optimism about the future of Artificial Intelligence, saying the technology will create labour shortages rather than make humans redundant.
Speaking at the VivaTech technology conference in Paris, Bezos rejected growing concerns that AI will eliminate jobs, arguing instead that it will remove barriers to productivity and create demand for more human work.
“I know there’s a lot of concern that AI is going to make humans redundant,” Bezos said. “I totally disagree with this point of view. I think AI is going to create a labour shortage.”
Bezos said people have “endless” ambitions and ideas, but their ability to achieve them is often limited by time and resources. According to him, AI will help overcome these limitations by increasing productivity and accelerating innovation across industries.
During the event, Bezos also highlighted the work being carried out by his space company, Blue Origin, and his AI startup, Prometheus, which focuses on speeding up physical manufacturing through artificial intelligence.
His remarks come at a time when companies worldwide are reducing their workforce after adopting AI technologies. According to a report by Challenger, Gray and Christmas, US employers announced more than 97,000 job cuts in May, with AI linked to around 40 percent of those layoffs. A recent Reuters/Ipsos survey also found that nearly half of Americans fear AI could threaten employment for themselves or someone in their household.
Despite these concerns, Bezos maintained that AI will ultimately generate new opportunities rather than reduce the need for human workers.
On space exploration, Bezos said one of Blue Origin’s long-term goals is to shift heavy and polluting industries away from Earth. He argued that future advances in space travel and resource extraction from the Moon and asteroids could help restore the planet’s environment.
Blue Origin CEO David Limp, who appeared alongside Bezos, confirmed that reconstruction of the company’s New Glenn launch pad in Florida has begun after it was damaged in an explosion during an engine test earlier this year.
Bezos’ vision contrasts with current concerns over AI-driven job losses, but reflects his belief that technological progress will ultimately benefit humanity by creating new industries, opportunities and economic growth.
