Amazon is reviving its startup culture under CEO Andy Jassy’s leadership, aiming to boost collaboration and productivity among employees through a return-to-office policy and significant investments in artificial intelligence.
Reviving the Startup Culture at Amazon
Under Andy Jassy‘s leadership, Amazon is once again focusing on its startup roots, aiming to improve collaboration and productivity among employees.
Andy Jassy is an American business executive, set to become the next CEO of Amazon.
He currently serves as the CEO of Amazon Web Services (AWS), a position he has held since 2016.
Jeff Bezos had previously announced that Andy would be taking over as CEO in 2021.
Jassy joined Amazon in 1997 and played a crucial role in developing the company's cloud computing platform.
Under his leadership, AWS has experienced rapid growth, becoming one of the largest cloud providers globally.
The Return-to-Office Policy: A Key to Revitalizing Startup Culture
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has been vocal about his mission to return the company to its startup roots. He believes that this mindset is essential for the company’s success in today’s fast-paced technological landscape. By ordering staff back to the office, Amazon is already seeing improvements in collaboration and productivity.
Streamlining Operations for a Startup Culture

Jassy has taken steps to streamline operations and reduce bureaucracy within the company. One of his key initiatives is to cut down on layers of management and increase the ratio of individual contributors to managers by at least 15 percent. This goal was achieved in the first quarter of 2025, demonstrating Jassy‘s commitment to creating a more agile and innovative work environment.
The Role of AI in Revitalizing Startup Culture
Jassy emphasizes that Amazon is positioning itself to seize a generational opportunity in artificial intelligence (AI). With a $100 billion capital expenditure planned for 2025, the company is investing heavily in A.I. research and development. Jassy believes that this investment will enable Amazon to take advantage of the current AI landscape and drive innovation.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has undergone significant development since its inception in the mid-20th century.
The term was first coined by John McCarthy at a 1956 Dartmouth conference, where researchers explored the potential for machines to simulate human thought.
Since then, AI has advanced through various stages, including rule-based systems, neural networks, and deep learning.
Today, AI is integrated into numerous applications, from virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa to self-driving cars and medical diagnosis tools.
Improving Collaboration and Productivity
Jassy credits Amazon’s return-to-office policy with improving productivity and collaboration among employees. By having team members work together in person, they are able to riff on each other’s ideas more effectively. This collaborative approach is essential for driving innovation and taking advantage of the current AI opportunity.