"Amazon is reportedly leaning into automation plans that will enable the company to avoid hiring more than half a million US workers. Citing interviews and internal strategy documents, The New York Times reports that Amazon is hoping its robots can replace more than 600,000 jobs it would otherwise have to hire in the United States by 2033, despite estimating it'll sell about twice as many products over the period."
"Documents reportedly show that Amazon's robotics team is working towards automating 75 percent of the company's entire operations, and expects to ditch 160,000 US roles that would otherwise be needed by 2027. This would save about 30 cents on every item that Amazon warehouses and delivers to customers, with automation efforts expected to save the company $12.6 billion from 2025 to 2027."
"Amazon has considered steps to improve its image as a "good corporate citizen" in preparation for the anticipated backlash around job losses, according to The NYT, reporting that the company considered participating in community projects and avoiding terms like "automation" and "AI." More vague terms like "advanced technology" were explored instead, and using the term "cobot" for robots that work alongside humans."
Internal strategy documents and interviews indicate Amazon expects robots could replace more than 600,000 US jobs by 2033 while selling about twice as many products. The robotics team targets automating 75 percent of operations and expects to eliminate 160,000 US roles by 2027. Automation is projected to save roughly 30 cents per item and $12.6 billion from 2025 to 2027. Company planners considered community projects and softer terminology like "advanced technology" or "cobot" to manage anticipated backlash. Amazon stated leaked documents were incomplete and do not represent overall hiring strategy. Economists warn such automation could make a major employer a net job destroyer.
Read at The Verge
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