Amazon Plans Robot Revolution to Cut 600K Future Jobs

UPDATE: Amazon is set to implement significant automation strategies that could eliminate the need for over 600,000 U.S. jobs by 2033, according to a recent report by The New York Times. The e-commerce giant’s automation team projects that it can avoid hiring more than 160,000 workers by 2027, a move that could drastically reshape its workforce.

This shift towards automation is projected to save Amazon approximately 30 cents on every item it processes, as the company aims for robots to eventually outnumber human workers in its warehouses. The leaked internal strategy documents reveal that Amazon’s robotics team has set a goal to automate 75% of its operations.

As part of this strategy, Amazon has reportedly begun developing public relations plans to mitigate potential backlash. Internal documents suggest the company may rebrand its automation efforts by emphasizing terms like “advanced technology” while avoiding direct references to “automation” and “AI.”

“The materials appear to reflect the perspective of just one team and don’t represent our overall hiring strategy across our various operations business lines — now or moving forward,” stated Kelly Nantel, an Amazon spokesperson.

Nantel emphasized that Amazon has created more jobs in the U.S. over the past decade than any other company and announced plans to hire 250,000 seasonal workers for the upcoming holiday season. However, the company’s aggressive automation agenda raises concerns about the future of employment in the tech sector.

On Wednesday, Senator Bernie Sanders responded to the report, warning that “Big Tech oligarchs are coming for your job.” Sanders has previously highlighted that AI and automation could eliminate nearly 100 million jobs in the U.S. over the next decade. His comments reflect growing anxiety about the implications of automation on the workforce.

Despite these concerns, other research, including a study by the Yale University Budget Lab and the Brookings Institution, suggests that the anticipated job apocalypse may not have fully materialized yet, noting minimal changes in employment since the introduction of tools like ChatGPT in November 2022.

Amazon’s strides in automation are underscored by the recent achievement of deploying its 1 millionth robot. CEO Andy Jassy has indicated that advancements in AI technology are expected to further reduce the company’s workforce through efficiency gains.

The implications of Amazon’s pivot towards automation are profound, not only for the company’s future but also for millions of workers across the nation. As the situation develops, stakeholders and employees alike will be watching closely to see how these changes unfold and what it means for the job market.

Stay tuned for further updates on this breaking story as more details emerge.