Latest news with #Sidewalk
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
If you want promotion, show us…: Amazon has a new rule for employees in its smart home department
employees working in the company's smart-home division must now demonstrate how they use artificial intelligence tools to qualify for promotions, according to a new policy announced by Ring founder Jamie Siminoff. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The requirement affects workers at Amazon's RBKS organization , which includes Ring security cameras, Blink devices, Key delivery service, and Sidewalk wireless network. The policy, effective in the third quarter of 2025, mandates that promotion applicants detail their AI usage and provide examples of projects with measurable outcomes. Managers must additionally prove they've accomplished "more with less" using AI technology while reducing or maintaining current headcount levels. Ring CEO asks the department embrace AI-driven performance metrics Siminoff's directive aligns with broader industry trends as major technology companies integrate AI proficiency into employee evaluations. Shopify announced in April that managers must demonstrate AI cannot perform a role before making new hires, while Microsoft has begun evaluating some employees based on their use of internal AI tools, Business Insider reported. The policy comes two months after Siminoff returned to Amazon following a two-year absence, replacing former RBKS division leader Liz Hamren. His return coincides with CEO Andy Jassy's push to restore Amazon's startup culture and embrace efficiency-driven practices. In an email to staff obtained by Business Insider, Siminoff emphasized the policy aims to reward "innovative thinking" and reinforce speed and efficiency—core elements of Jassy's current vision for the company. "We are reimagining Ring from the ground up with AI first," Siminoff wrote, describing the initiative as having "the same energy and potential to revolutionize how we do neighborhood safety." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Amazon pushes workforce efficiency through AI adoption The new promotion requirements represent part of Siminoff's broader push for AI integration within RBKS operations. Since June, he has encouraged employees to use AI tools at least once daily to boost productivity levels. Amazon CEO Jassy previously indicated that AI implementation would reduce the company's workforce due to improved operational efficiency. The RBKS policy specifically requires employees to describe how they've used generative AI or other AI technologies to enhance customer experience or increase operational efficiency when applying for advancement opportunities. A Ring spokesperson confirmed to Business Insider the promotion initiative applies exclusively to RBKS employees and does not extend company-wide.
Business Insider
17-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Amazon now requires staff to show AI use to get promoted at Ring and some other units
To get ahead at Ring and other Amazon smart-home businesses, you'll need to show your AI chops. Ring founder Jamie Siminoff, who also oversees Amazon's Blink security cameras, Key in-home delivery service, and Sidewalk wireless network, announced on Wednesday that all promotion applications at his RBKS organization must now explain how employees are using AI at work. Siminoff, who returned to Amazon in April after a 2-year hiatus, said the new policy aims to reward "innovative thinking" and reinforce a culture of speed and efficiency. "When we combine innovative technology with our missions, we create something truly special," Siminoff wrote in the email, a copy of which was obtained by Business Insider. A Ring spokesperson told BI the changes only apply to Amazon's RBKS employees, and not the rest of the company. The change underscores a growing trend among tech companies to incorporate AI use into their talent-evaluation process. Shopify announced in April that managers must prove AI couldn't do a job better before hiring anyone new. Microsoft is asking some managers to evaluate employees based on how they use internal AI tools. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, meanwhile, warned last month that AI will reduce the company's workforce because of efficiency gains. Siminoff, in his email, said employees seeking a promotion must now describe how they have used generative AI or other AI technologies to improve customer experience or increase operational efficiency. They are also asked to cite specific AI projects they've worked on and the measurable impact achieved. Those in management positions are also required to show how they used AI tools to accomplish "more with less," while reducing or not growing headcount, according to the email. "In the spirit of Day 1 culture, we will keep learning, iterating and improving this," Siminoff wrote.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sidewalk Cinema playing ‘Mamma Mia!' and sequel throughout Mother's Day weekend
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Mother's Day is May 11, and Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema is giving people multiple chances to celebrate. Sidewalk will be playing 'Mamma Mia!' and 'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again' from May 9 to May 15. Fans of the duology can choose to attend special sing-along screenings of the films, but regular screenings will also be featured. Here's a list of showtimes for each movie: 'Mamma Mia!' May 9 — 2:30 p.m. May 10 — 5:30 p.m. (sing-along version) May 11 — 1:15 p.m. (sing-along version) May 11 — 6:00 p.m. May 15 — 2 p.m. 'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again' May 9 — 5 p.m. May 10 — 8 p.m. (sing-along version) May 11 — 3:30 p.m. (sing-along version) May 11 — 8:30 p.m. May 15 — 4:30 p.m. (sing-along version) More information, as well as tickets, can be found on Sidewalk Film Center's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sidewalk Film Center hosting Alabama Spotlight Weekend
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Sidewalk Film Center will be highlighting Alabama films with its Alabama Spotlight event from April 4-10. The Alabama Spotlight will feature films that were shot in Alabama and films that were made by local filmmakers. Here's a list of movies that will be included: 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' (1977) 'Big Fish' (2003) 'Hale County This Morning, This Evening' (2018) 'Don't Die' (2023) Each showing of this film will be followed by a Q&A. Showtimes and tickets for each show can be found here. Alabama actor who shared screen with Val Kilmer in 'Tombstone' calls late actor one of the best of his generation On April 5 and 6, Sidewalk will also host the Alabama Shorts Showcase. This limited-time event will feature the works of both local and student filmmakers. A list of the featured short films, including their directors, can be found here. The Alabama Shorts Showcase is free to attend, but reservations are encouraged. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
