Amazon Plans to Automate 600K Future Jobs, Sparks Controversy

URGENT UPDATE: Amazon is shifting gears in its workforce strategy, aiming to automate over 600,000 jobs by 2033, according to a new report from The New York Times. This ambitious plan could significantly impact the U.S. labor market as the e-commerce giant seeks to cut hiring needs by more than half a million workers in the coming years.

The internal documents reviewed by the Times reveal that Amazon’s automation team predicts it will not need to hire over 160,000 U.S. workers by 2027, leading to potential savings of 30 cents on every item picked, packed, and delivered. As the company prepares to double its product sales, the increasing reliance on robotic systems could soon mean that robots outnumber human workers in Amazon warehouses.

The leaked documents suggest that Amazon’s robotics team aims to automate a staggering 75% of its operations. To manage public perception, Amazon has reportedly developed PR strategies to mitigate backlash, including a shift in language to avoid terms like “automation” and “AI,” opting instead for “advanced technology.” The company is also looking to enhance its image as a “good corporate citizen” by sponsoring community events like Toys for Tots and local parades.

In response to the report, Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel stated that the leaked materials present an “incomplete” view of the company’s hiring strategy. “These materials reflect the perspective of just one team and don’t represent our overall hiring strategy across our various operations business lines,” Nantel emphasized. She further highlighted that Amazon has created more jobs in the U.S. over the last decade than any other company and recently announced plans to fill 250,000 positions for the upcoming holiday season.

Despite the reassurances, concerns about job displacement remain high. Senator Bernie Sanders reacted sharply to the Times report, warning that “Big Tech oligarchs are coming for your job.” Earlier this month, he released findings indicating that AI and automation could threaten nearly 100 million U.S. jobs within the next decade.

While some research suggests that the “AI job apocalypse” has not yet arrived, with studies from the Yale University Budget Lab and the Brookings Institution indicating generative AI has not dramatically altered employment since the release of ChatGPT in November 2022, the implications of Amazon’s automation plans are profound.

As Amazon continues to integrate more robots—recently announcing the deployment of its 1 millionth robot—the future of work at the retail giant remains uncertain. CEO Andy Jassy has also commented on the potential for AI to reduce the company’s “total corporate workforce” in response to technological “efficiency gains.”

With public discourse surrounding automation and job security intensifying, all eyes will be on Amazon as it navigates this transformative period. What happens next could set a precedent for the future of labor in the tech-driven economy.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as it unfolds.