Amazon has made notable changes in its most recent annual report, removing references to diversity and inclusion. The company filed its 2024 report on Friday, following the release of its fourth-quarter earnings. Unlike the prior report, which included mentions of “inclusion and diversity” in a section titled “Human Capital,” the latest filing omits this language entirely.
In its previous report, Amazon stated, “As we strive to be Earth’s best employer, we focus on investment and innovation, inclusion and diversity, safety, and engagement to hire and develop the best talent.” However, the new report simplifies this to, “We strive to be Earth’s best employer.” This streamlined messaging follows Amazon’s recent scaling back of some of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Candi Castleberry, Amazon’s vice president of inclusive experiences and technology, informed employees in December that the company was “winding down outdated programs and materials.” This decision is part of a broader review of hundreds of internal initiatives. While Castleberry acknowledged the importance of DEI programs, she did not specify which initiatives would continue or how they might evolve.
Additionally, Amazon has revised a public-facing webpage that outlines its policy positions, reducing its focus on DEI issues. Previously, separate sections addressed “Equity for Black people,” “Diversity, equity, and inclusion,” and “LGBTQ+ rights.” These sections have now been consolidated into a single paragraph, with the term “transgender” notably removed.
This shift is reflective of a broader trend among Silicon Valley companies and other major corporations distancing themselves from DEI initiatives. For instance, Google removed DEI-related language from its annual report, and Meta announced in January that it would scale back internal programs aimed at increasing diverse hiring. Similarly, companies like McDonald’s, Walmart, and Target have ended or altered some of their DEI programs. According to NPR, firms including Disney, General Motors, GE, and Pepsi have also eliminated DEI references from their annual filings.
Despite this trend, some companies continue to prioritize DEI initiatives. Costco, for example, rejected a shareholder proposal to report on the potential risks of DEI policies to its stock price. Similarly, Apple has resisted similar proposals. Meanwhile, leaders at Pinterest, JPMorgan Chase, and Goldman Sachs have reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining DEI programs.
Amazon, the nation’s second-largest employer after Walmart, had over 1.5 million employees as of December 31. In recent years, the company pledged to double the number of Black employees in senior leadership roles and increase the representation of Black employees in its U.S. corporate workforce by 30%. However, these adjustments to Amazon’s DEI approach coincide with a significant investment in artificial intelligence (AI), which CEO Andy Jassy has described as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
On its earnings call Thursday, Amazon announced plans to raise its capital expenditures to $100 billion in 2025, with a strong emphasis on AI initiatives. This represents the largest capital expenditure increase among major tech companies.