Archive · 28 Jul 2026
Amazon Narrows AI Focus, Retires Nova Models
Amazon started with a big plan to develop many different AI models, like text and image generators, under the Nova family.
But recently, they decided to focus on just one big AI project called Frontier Model Research.
This means they are stopping most of the Nova models and have laid off some employees.
The leader of this new project is Pieter Abbeel, and they plan to show off their new model at a conference later this year.
Some Nova models are still being used, but the company is now putting most of its resources into this one big AI project.
Amazon is shifting its AI strategy to focus on a single frontier model, retiring most Nova models.
The change follows the departure of Rohit Prasad and the appointment of Peter DeSantis to lead the AGI organization.
Frontier Model Research (FMR), led by Pieter Abbeel, is now Amazon's primary AI project.
Recent layoffs and the closure of AGI Lab have affected the AGI organization.
Some Nova models, like Nova 2 Sonic and Nova 2 Lite, remain in active use.
- Who
- Amazon, led by Andy Jassy and later Peter DeSantis, with key figures including Rohit Prasad and Pieter Abbeel.
- What
- Amazon is narrowing its AI focus to a single frontier model, retiring most Nova models, and experiencing layoffs in the AGI organization.
- When
- The shift began after Rohit Prasad's departure in December 2025, with layoffs and lab closures occurring in 2025.
- Where
- The changes are happening within Amazon's AI and AGI organizations.
- Why
- Amazon is consolidating resources to focus on a single frontier model, aiming to compete at the cutting edge of AI research.
Broad AI Development
Focused AI Strategy
AI Development Strategy
Broad AI Development
Amazon initially pursued a broad AI development strategy, investing in multiple model families including text, image, and video tools under the Nova family.
Focused AI Strategy
Amazon has shifted to a focused AI strategy, consolidating resources into a single frontier model research project, effectively retiring most Nova models.
- Leadership Change
- Rohit Prasad left Amazon in December 2025, and Peter DeSantis took over the AGI organization.
- Frontier Model Research
- Amazon's new priority is the Frontier Model Research (FMR) project, led by Pieter Abbeel.
- Nova Models
- Most Nova models, including Premier and Omni, are being retired, but some like Nova 2 Sonic and Nova 2 Lite remain active.
- AGI Lab
- AGI Lab was shut down in 2025 as part of the restructuring.
- Layoffs
- Recent layoffs affected the AGI organization, including the closure of AGI Lab.