Amazon investigating engineers who criticized AI data center expansion
Amazon is investigating several engineers who testified before the Seattle City Council, criticizing the rapid expansion of AI data centers and advocating for stronger government regulation. The employees spoke at meetings where the city was considering a year-long moratorium on new data center construction, which was subsequently enacted. The engineers have filed a complaint alleging Amazon violated a city ordinance protecting political ideology.
Amazon engineers are reportedly under investigation by the company after they publicly criticized the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence data centers and called for stricter government regulation.
Five Amazon employees testified at Seattle City Council meetings earlier this month, where officials sought public input on a proposed year-long moratorium on new large-scale data center construction. The Seattle City Council unanimously passed this moratorium on June 9. The employees voiced concerns about the environmental impact and resource demands of AI infrastructure, describing the company's AI build-out as an "all-costs-justified" endeavor.
Following their testimony, three of the Amazon workers were informed by a human resources representative that they were being investigated for their testimony, with potential disciplinary actions ranging up to termination, according to a complaint filed with the Seattle Office for Civil Rights. The complaint alleges that Amazon monitored their political advocacy and violated a Seattle ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on political ideology.
Amazon spokesperson Margaret Callahan stated that the company respects employees' right to voice opinions but requires adherence to procedures when employees speak as company representatives. She clarified that the company is investigating whether policies were violated but disputed claims that termination was being considered or communicated to employees. The affected staffers are part of Amazon Employees for Climate Justice (AECJ), a group known for advocating on climate and labor issues within the company, which has previously faced similar disputes with Amazon.