'Human creativity becomes the last...,' Jeff Bezos on how AI could change the job market

Jeff Bezos

Jeff Bezos has delivered one of his strongest assessments yet of how artificial intelligence will reshape the global workforce, and the message was blunt. Speaking at Italian Tech Week, he said most careers built around execution, repetition or data processing will be at risk as AI expands across industries. According to him, the only workers who will remain relatively insulated are those who can invent. In his view, invention is not about patents or devices alone, but the ability to generate original ideas, rethink systems and propose new ways of doing things. This, he argued, is something AI still cannot reliably do.

Bezos explained that AI excels at scaling tasks but not at initiating breakthroughs. Human imagination, he said, remains the origin point for progress. To illustrate this, he used his own process, noting that he can produce dozens of potential ideas within minutes when given time with a whiteboard. It is this instinctive spark that he considers irreplaceable. The implication is clear: workers who rely solely on predictable tasks will struggle, whereas those who can think independently will shape the next era of work.

He also acknowledged how this shift is already visible inside Amazon. As the company deploys AI to streamline logistics, customer support and data-oriented roles, many repetitive functions are now automated. According to Bezos, only a small portion of the workforce is shielded from this change. The people who invent new processes or identify gaps in existing systems continue to thrive, while those whose roles depend on routine execution face increasing pressure.

This thinking has influenced his hiring approach for years. Bezos said he routinely asks candidates whether they have ever invented something, even if it is simply a new workflow, a fresh metric or an unconventional solution to a persistent problem. He considers this mindset a predictor of long-term adaptability. In an environment where AI handles more of the operational load, companies will seek individuals who can push boundaries rather than follow established patterns.

Bezos believes the future will reward those who prioritise experimentation, curiosity and originality. With AI becoming deeply embedded in global industries, invention may be the one skill that separates humans from the systems they build.