Amazon is pressing ahead with plans to hire more than 11,000 interns and entry-level employees, even as artificial intelligence reshapes the technology workforce. According to AWS CEO Matt Garman, the company’s future hiring decisions will increasingly depend on a candidate’s ability to adapt and learn rather than simply write code.
Amazon plans to recruit more than 11,000 interns and recent graduates this year, sending a strong signal that the company continues to invest in early-career talent despite growing concerns that artificial intelligence could reduce demand for entry-level technology jobs.
The hiring push comes as AI rapidly changes the skills employers expect from software engineers and technology professionals.
Instead of focusing primarily on coding expertise, Amazon Web Services (AWS) CEO Matt Garman says the company is looking for candidates who can adapt quickly, remain curious and continuously develop new skills as artificial intelligence transforms the workplace.
Speaking about hiring in the AI era, Garman explained that technical knowledge remains valuable, but it is no longer the only quality employers should prioritise.
«”We start to look for not just the skill set you have, but whether you have the ability to learn, the willingness to dive in and learn new things, and the agility to reason about problems,” Garman said.»
According to Garman, Amazon increasingly evaluates candidates based on three core attributes:
* Adaptability in a rapidly changing technology environment.
* Curiosity to explore new ideas and emerging technologies.
* The ability to learn quickly as AI continues reshaping how work gets done.
His comments arrive during an intense debate over artificial intelligence’s impact on employment.
Several AI industry leaders have warned that automation could significantly reduce the number of entry-level white-collar jobs over the coming years. Garman, however, believes those predictions misunderstand how technological change has historically affected the workforce.
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In a recent interview with Platformer, he argued that AI will transform jobs rather than eliminate them. “Wipe out and change are different,” Garman said, comparing artificial intelligence to Microsoft Excel, which dramatically improved productivity without replacing accountants and finance professionals altogether. Garman also rejected the idea that junior software engineers are becoming obsolete.
Instead, he believes young professionals bring qualities that AI cannot easily replicate, including fresh perspectives, enthusiasm and the willingness to embrace entirely new ways of working.
«”They come in with an energy and excitement, a new view on things,” Garman said while explaining why Amazon continues investing heavily in interns and graduates.»
The AWS chief also noted that recent graduates are often easier to train because they enter the workplace without deeply established habits, making them well positioned to adopt AI-native development practices. Amazon’s hiring plans stand in contrast to widespread fears that AI will sharply reduce opportunities for new graduates entering the technology industry.
Although the company has invested billions of dollars in artificial intelligence infrastructure and recently restructured parts of its workforce, it continues to view early-career talent as an essential part of its long-term strategy.
The comments also reflect how software engineering itself is evolving. As AI coding assistants increasingly generate routine code, employers are placing greater emphasis on broader problem-solving abilities, system design, communication and customer-focused thinking. Writing code remains important, but understanding how to apply technology to real-world business challenges is becoming an even more valuable skill.
Industry analysts say this represents one of the biggest shifts in technology hiring in decades. Instead of recruiting solely for technical proficiency, companies are increasingly seeking employees capable of learning continuously as AI changes workflows across engineering, cloud computing, cybersecurity and product development.
For students and aspiring software engineers, Garman’s message is clear. Learning a programming language alone may no longer be enough to build a successful career. Employers are increasingly looking for people who can adapt to change, think critically and continue learning long after they enter the workforce.
Amazon’s decision to recruit more than 11,000 interns despite the rapid rise of AI reinforces that belief. While artificial intelligence is expected to automate many routine technical tasks, the company argues that human potential will increasingly be measured not by what employees already know, but by how quickly they can master what comes next.
About the Author
Marcel Chidozie is a tech analyst and writer covering foreign news, fintech, and emerging technologies at TechRegard. Based in Nigeria, He's passionate about translating complex tech developments into compelling, accessible stories for diverse audiences. His work focuses on how technology shapes innovation across Africa and globally.
