AI Skills Didn't Save Her Job at Amazon, But They Might Save Yours

Tejal Rives thought she'd found the perfect shield against layoffs: mastering AI. A smart move, right? In theory, yes. But in October 2025, when Amazon announced job cuts, her AI skills didn't spare her from the axe.

AI Didn't Save Her Job

Despite up-skilling in AI, Tejal was among the 14,000 employees let go by Amazon. She thought her expertise in prompt engineering would make her indispensable. It didn't. This isn't just Tejal's story. It's a broader lesson about the current job market.

Amazon, like many tech giants, encourages using AI to boost efficiency. Yet, Rives felt AI wasn't the culprit. She used it to write product descriptions but often found herself editing out the fluff. AI wasn't replacing her skills. it was augmenting them.

The Larger Lesson in AI

Here's the kicker: despite the personal setback, Tejal insists AI skills are still important. Prompt engineering, the art of asking AI the right questions, is a big deal. It’s about efficiency. Ask once, and get it right.

Why should you care? Because the workforce is shifting rapidly. As jobs evolve, those who adapt with AI will have the edge. The asymmetry is staggering. Knowing AI might not save your job today, but it can land you the next one faster.

Life After Amazon

After her layoff, Tejal decided to focus on her own business, Do My Resume LLC. Burnt out from corporate life, she took a break. But not from AI. Although she uses it sparingly, it helps her brainstorm new ideas.

Tejal's story is a reminder: your job shouldn’t rule your life. Don't sacrifice well-being for a role that's not permanent. The best investors in the world are adding skills now. Why aren’t you?

In the age of AI, layoffs are inevitable. But those who master AI will navigate these storms more deftly. Long AI models, long patience.