One of Amazon's top AI executives is out
Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu via Getty Images
- Matt Wood, the vice president of AI at Amazon Web Services, is leaving after 15 years.
- Wood's departure comes amid fierce AI competition from Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI.
- AWS has seen significant executive turnover recently, with its CEO and other top leaders leaving.
Matt Wood, the vice president of artificial intelligence at Amazon Web Services, is leaving.
In a LinkedIn post on Wednesday, Wood wrote that he's stepping away from AWS after 15 years at the company. He didn't share why or where he's headed next.
"It has been an extraordinary journey to be part of a team that has fundamentally transformed how businesses operate, grow, and innovate," Wood wrote.
Wood has been one of AWS's most-high-profile executives, often speaking onstage at public events. He worked on AWS's machine-learning and AI technology, laying some of the groundwork for the company's latest growth initiatives.
An Amazon spokesperson didn't respond to a request for comment.
Wood's departure comes amid intense competition in the AI space. Even though Amazon has worked on AI technology for years, the company has so far failed to draw as much attention as competing products from Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI. Some of its key products, such as the Q chatbot and its AI chips, are seeing mixed results.
It's also the latest exit amid AWS's notable executive turnover in recent years. In May, AWS replaced its CEO, Adam Selipsky, with Matt Garman. Among the top leaders who also left in the past two years were AWS CFO Richard Puccio; its chief marketing officer, Rachel Thornton; and its vice president of data center, Chris Vonderhaar.
Wood hinted in his LinkedIn post that he's likely joining another company.
"I'm excited to continue bringing reinvention, transformation, and the future to more organizations in my next role (more to come on that; stay tuned)," he wrote.
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