Skip to navigationSkip to main contentSkip to right columnADVERTISEMENTJessica WongTue, June 23, 2026 at 3:00 PM GMT+2 6 min readAmazon’s AI spending spree is helping fuel Wall Street’s excitement around artificial intelligence. But inside the company itself, some employees say speaking out about that growth could put their jobs at risk.A group of Amazon workers has filed a complaint with Seattle officials, alleging the company launched investigations into employees who publicly criticized the rapid expansion of AI data centers and called for stronger government oversight. (1)Robert Kiyosaki says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year and begs investors not to miss this ‘explosion’Millionaires under 43 hold only 25% of their wealth in stocks. Surprised? Here’s where their money is actually goingJeff Bezos backs a platform that lets anyone invest in rental homes for as little as $100 — here are 5 ways to build wealth like a landlord without actually being oneAmazon has denied retaliationThe showdown began earlier this month when five Amazon employees stepped up to the microphone at Seattle City Council meetings to urge lawmakers to hit the brakes on the AI infrastructure boom.The workers, who are affiliated with Amazon Employees for Climate Justice (AECJ), supported a proposal that would temporarily pause construction of new large-scale data centers while city officials craft rules governing future projects. They warned against what they called an “all-costs-justified AI build out” by Big Tech companies racing to dominate artificial intelligence.Seattle’s leaders ultimately sided with the critics, unanimously approving the moratorium on June 9.But it was a short-lived victory.According to a complaint filed with the Seattle Office for Civil Rights, several of the employees were later called into meetings with a human resources representative who said concerns had been raised about their public testimony.The complaint alleges that three workers were informed they were under investigation and could face disciplinary action. One employee was allegedly told the consequences could include termination.The complaint further alleges Amazon monitored workers’ political advocacy and attempted to identify other employees involved in similar activism.“Seattle is one of just a few jurisdictions in the country that prohibits private employers from discriminating against their employees based on the political beliefs they hold and the organizations they belong to,” Abby Lawlor, an attorney at Barnard Iglitzin & Lavitt who is advising the employees, told WIRED (2).“Here, we have legal tools to fight back and ensure that tech workers can be full democratic participants in these important local discussions. We hope the city of Seattle will do its part to ensure that this vital Seattle law is enforced,” she said.Terms and Privacy PolicyEU DSA contactPrivacy & Cookie SettingsMore Info