Amazon memo tells engineers AI isn't mandatory, then warns non-adopters are falling behind
Amazon sends chills through its workforce with mixed message memo about AI use
Amazon's Terk Terkowitz sent engineers a memo on AI's role in software engineering that concedes input metrics are flawed, then says to use them carefully, then warns that non-adopters are falling behind — three positions in three sentences. Corey Quinn reads it as cover: managers can cite "a finding, not a failing" for a strong engineer who skips AI tools, or "falling behind" when it's time to PIP someone. All while AWS bills Bedrock and Kiro customers by the token.
Inside the building, tokenmaxxing is a problem to be stamped out. Outside it, it's the revenue plan.