Amazon founder believes productivity gains could reduce working hours, even as company cuts jobs
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has said advances in artificial intelligence (AI) could eventually allow Americans to support their families by working three days a week or relying on a single household income. He argues that productivity gains could reshape the future of work.
In an interview with Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier aired Oct. 7, Bezos said AI-driven efficiency could enable people to work fewer hours without sacrificing their ability to meet household expenses. He disagreed with predictions that AI would lead to widespread job losses, suggesting instead that greater productivity could create labor shortages.
“Some people will also decide, you know what, I can support my family by working three days a week,” Bezos said, describing a potential outcome of rising economic productivity.
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He also suggested that households with two working adults could eventually decide they no longer need two incomes. “You’re not going to need to have a two-earner income household,” Bezos told Baier, adding that families could still choose to have both adults work if they wanted to.
Bezos sees productivity gains changing work
Bezos argued that AI could substantially increase economic productivity, allowing people to spend less time working while maintaining their standard of living. He suggested that these changes could make it easier for some Americans to leave second jobs or reduce their working hours.
According to Bezos, the resulting shift could make it more difficult for employers to recruit workers as people gain greater flexibility over their employment.
The comments reflect an optimistic view of AI’s economic potential, contrasting with concerns that automation could displace workers across industries. Bezos acknowledged that many people expect AI to eliminate jobs but said he disagreed with those forecasts.
However, he did not provide a timeline for the predicted changes or explain how productivity gains would translate into higher household incomes or shorter working hours.
Amazon’s job cuts raise questions
Bezos’ comments came as Amazon continues to restructure its workforce. The company has cut approximately 30,000 corporate positions since late 2025, including a fresh round of reductions announced in October.
Reuters reported on Oct. 8 that Amazon had eliminated fewer than 1,000 white-collar positions, primarily in its Stores division, with affected employees in the United States, India and the United Kingdom.
When Baier raised the earlier workforce reductions during the interview, Bezos attributed them to the company’s rapid expansion during the COVID-19 pandemic, when online shopping surged and Amazon significantly increased its headcount.
The contrast between the company’s workforce reductions and Bezos’ outlook highlights the uncertainty surrounding AI’s effects on employment. While the technology could help companies produce more with fewer resources, the extent to which those gains will lead to better pay, reduced working hours or fewer jobs remains unclear.
AI’s economic impact remains uncertain
Bezos’ forecast depends on productivity gains translating into tangible benefits for workers and households. Higher output alone does not guarantee that employees will receive higher wages or have the option to work fewer days.
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The effects are also likely to vary across occupations and industries, depending on how companies adopt AI and whether workers share in the resulting economic gains.
For now, Bezos’ remarks describe a possible future rather than an announced change to Amazon’s employment policies. He did not say the company would introduce a three-day workweek or that its employees would be able to support their families on a single income.
His prediction adds to the debate over whether AI will primarily reduce employment opportunities or create the economic conditions for shorter working weeks and greater flexibility.