Amazon is opening a new research and development center in Barcelona next year focused on Machine Learning. Amazon is using the technology to forecast customer demand, translate product information, and in automatic speech recognition. Amazon expects to create 100 new highly qualified job positions in the new research center, and the recruitment process is already underway. The announcement also includes a look at some of its other investments in Spain, including new fulfillment centers and a new Seller Support hub.
Press release follows:
Amazon announced that it will open a new Research and Development Centre in Barcelona in the first half of 2018. Over time, Amazon expects to hire more than 100 scientists and software engineers at this centre.
The centre will be located in Barcelona’s start-up district – 22@ – in the same building as the Amazon Seller Support Hub which, from early 2018, will offer assistance to small and medium companies from Southern Europe that sell on Amazon Marketplace.
Amazon’s global Machine Learning teams work on algorithms which automatically extract patterns from large collections of data to make accurate predictions. Forecasting customer demand, translating product information and automatic speech recognition are just some examples of how Machine Learning is leading to lower prices, greater selection and better customer experiences at Amazon.
“Innovation is part of the DNA of everything that we do at Amazon. Machine Learning is improving our service to customers in many ways including adding convenience and allowing for lower prices, greater selection and better availability,” said Ralf Herbrich, Director of Machine Learning at Amazon. “Our work in the field of Machine Learning is also creating high-profile job opportunities across Europe. We want to work closely with Spain’s scientific community and universities to advance state of the art research in Machine Learning.” “Barcelona is an ideal location for our new research and development centre. It has a large network of universities and the City’s quality of life make it also a highly appealing destination for international talent,” says François Nuyts, Vice-president and Country Manager of Amazon Spain and Italy. “Just over a year ago we opened our Tech Hub in Madrid, where we work on improving the shopping experience across Europe both online and via mobile. We are delighted to be opening this new centre in Barcelona as part of our continued investment in Spain.”
According to the Minister of Enterprise of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Santi Vila, “this new investment by Amazon is strategically relevant because it confirms its commitment to Catalonia, not just on logistics, but also in Research and Development, innovation and talent”.”In a few months, Amazon has announced a new investment project, a further demonstration of the capabilities of Catalonia to develop a first-class technology ecosystem, attract foreign investment and generate confidence abroad,” said the Minister.
“Amazon shows that 22@ district has consolidated as a hub of technology and talent globally. In attracting productive investments and quality employment we ensure the future of Barcelona,” says Jaume Collboni, Deputy Mayor of Barcelona..
Recruitment for Amazon’s new Research and Development Centre in Barcelona is already underway. Amazon is seeking scientists and software developers, capable of solving complex tasks and with a passion for improving the customer experience.
Growing investment
The new Research and Development Centre in Barcelona will add to Amazon’s investments in Spain over the last year. The company will end 2017 with over 1,600 permanent employees in its corporate offices as well as its growing fulfilment network, which now includes two fulfilment centres in San Fernando de Henares (Madrid) and Castellbisbal (Barcelona) as well as two additional urban logistics facilities dedicated to Prime Now, Amazon’s ultra-fast delivery service.
Alongside these investments, the company announced in March that it will create 500 jobs by 2019 with the opening of its Seller Support Hub in Barcelona, where a multilingual team will offer assistance to small businesses selling on Amazon Marketplace across France, Italy and Spain. The company is also building a new 60,000 sq. fulfilment centre in El Prat de Llobregat (Barcelona), due to be operational later in 2017, which will create an additional 1,500 jobs by 2019. This is in addition to another fulfilment centre in Martorelles (Barcelona) to be opened also later this year.
SOURCE: Amazon EU Press Release
