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5 Sources
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Amazon Plans to Replace 600,000 Human Workers With Robots, Report Says
The retail giant has used robots in its warehouses for years, but it appears that the company is ramping up in a big way. Amazon has been using robots in its warehouses for over a decade, and that's not stopping anytime soon. According to a report Monday from The New York Times, Amazon is seeking to ramp up its robot army at the cost of human jobs. Don't miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source. The Times reports that internal Amazon documents suggest that the company is looking into building and using more robots to replace human workers. The publication doesn't specify if this will result in massive layoffs. However, the robots would allow Amazon to avoid hiring new workers to meet increasing demand, translating to 600,000 jobs replaced by 2033, according to the report. The report also says the company wants to mitigate the fallout in communities that may lose jobs. Documents show the company has considered building an image as a "good corporate citizen" through greater participation in community events such as local parades and Toys for Tots. And the leaked documents discuss avoiding using terms like automation and AI, instead using terms such as "advanced technology," and replacing the word "robot" with "cobot" to suggest collaboration. "Leaked documents often paint an incomplete and misleading picture of our plans, and that's the case here," an Amazon spokesperson told CNET in an email. "In this instance, 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." The spokesperson said "no company has created more jobs in America over the past decade than Amazon" and that the company is actively hiring at operations facilities, with plans to fill 250,000 positions for the holiday season. Amazon is the third biggest employer in the US, behind the federal government and Walmart. To date, the company employs an estimated 1.5 million employees, most of whom work in warehouses or as delivery drivers. Only a handful of companies in the US have more than 600,000 employees on the payroll. Delivery company FedEx has an estimated 550,000 employees. A reduction of the size reported by The Times would be akin to FedEx disappearing entirely. Studies have been done on the impact of robots on human wages. As of 2020, every robot added by a company per 1,000 workers reduces US wages by 0.42% and has cost humans an estimated 400,000 jobs. "Our investments will continue to create substantial employment, emphasizing higher-paying positions," Amazon said in an email. "In particular, and as mentioned in The New York Times story, efficiency gains in one area enable us to invest in other areas -- both existing and entirely new ones -- that create additional value for customers. While it's difficult to predict the future precisely, our track record demonstrates that we've consistently been a major job creator while simultaneously investing in upskilling our workforce for evolving roles."
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New report leaks Amazon's proposed mass-automation plans
The company reportedly believes it could avoid more than half a million future hires. Amazon is reportedly moving towards an era of unprecedented automation that would put half a million jobs in the US at risk. According to a series of interviews and internal documents referenced in an extensive report from The New York Times, Amazon executives expect to sell twice as many products by 2033. But by scaling up its robotics operations believe it could avoid the 600,000 hires it would otherwise have to make to keep up with the demand. According to the report, documents show that the ultimate aim of Amazon's in-house robotics department is to automate 75 percent of all operations, and if it is successful in making 160,000 fewer hires by 2027, the company would reportedly save 30 cents on each item it packs and delivers to customers in the US. Amazon recently its 1 millionth robot, a fleet it has been adding to since unveiling its fully autonomous mobile robot in 2022. Despite already pushing ahead with building warehouses that employ few humans, the NYT report claims that Amazon is planning for the eventual impact on affected communities and the potential backlash by participating in local events to establish a reputation as a "good corporate citizen." The internal documents also discuss the avoidance of terms such as "automation" and "AI" in relation to robotics, suggesting instead that executives use terms like "advanced technology" instead. They even consider replacing using "cobot" instead of "robot" as the former implies a collaborative relationship with humans. In a statement to the NYT, Amazon called the plans it cited incomplete and not reflective of its overall hiring strategy. It denied that its community efforts were related to its automation plans and said it's not insisting that its executives refrain from using certain terms. The company added that it planned to hire 250,000 people for the imminent holiday season, but wouldn't say how many of these would be permanent hires.
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Amazon layoffs: Is Amazon replacing humans with robots? Leaked docs reveal company's plan to replace 600,000 workers with robots by 2027
Amazon layoffs just took a futuristic turn. Leaked internal documents suggest the company could replace 600,000 U.S. jobs with robots by 2027 -- part of a $12.6 billion automation drive. By 2027, around 160,000 warehouse roles may vanish as machines take over picking and packing. Amazon says it's not a mass firing -- just "efficiency." But the data paints a different story: fewer human hands, more robots, and a rapidly changing future of work. Amazon layoffs are back in focus after leaked internal documents revealed plans to replace up to 600,000 U.S. workers with robots by 2027. The automation blueprint shows Amazon targeting 75% robotic operations to save $12.6 billion in labor costs between 2025 and 2027. Sources say 160,000 warehouse roles could be impacted in the next two years. The tech giant denies a mass layoff plan but confirms ongoing automation investments reshaping its U.S. workforce. According to the internal papers, Amazon's robotics and automation teams have mapped out a long-term plan to automate up to 75% of its warehouse and logistics network. This could mean as many as 600,000 jobs replaced or avoided by 2027, signaling one of the largest labor transformations in U.S. corporate history. If the projections hold true, the company's U.S. workforce of over one million employees could look dramatically different within the next few years. Amazon's fulfillment centers -- once bustling with human workers sorting, packing, and shipping -- may soon be dominated by fleets of intelligent robots handling most repetitive tasks around the clock. The move is part of Amazon's broader strategy to cut costs and increase efficiency as global competition in e-commerce intensifies. By replacing manual labor with AI-driven machines, the company aims to process orders faster, reduce operational errors, and deliver products with greater precision. At the heart of this transformation are advanced robotics systems like Proteus and Sequoia, capable of navigating crowded warehouses autonomously. These machines are equipped with sensors, cameras, and AI algorithms that allow them to move, lift, and sort packages without human supervision. The automation plan also extends beyond warehouses. Insiders claim Amazon is exploring AI-driven logistics and delivery operations, including self-driving delivery vehicles and drone shipping programs. Together, these technologies could streamline the company's supply chain -- but they could also disrupt tens of thousands of traditional delivery jobs in the coming decade. For many workers, the revelation feels like a warning. Employees in Amazon facilities across the U.S. are already noticing more robots on the floor and fewer human colleagues. Some say they fear being phased out quietly as machines become faster, safer, and cheaper. Experts say this shift could reshape the entire logistics and retail job market. As Amazon leads the way, competitors like Walmart and Target may feel pressure to adopt similar automation models to remain competitive. That could accelerate a nationwide trend where millions of low- to mid-skill jobs are replaced by machines over the next decade, forcing workers to adapt or retrain. Still, Amazon insists that automation doesn't necessarily mean job losses -- at least not immediately. The company argues that new technologies create opportunities in robotics maintenance, programming, and AI management, fields that require new skill sets and higher technical training. If Amazon's plan succeeds, the company could emerge as a model of AI-driven efficiency, setting a precedent for global corporations seeking to modernize operations. However, the social and economic trade-offs may be enormous. Amazon has been investing heavily in robotics and AI for over a decade, but the new internal plans suggest a faster and more aggressive approach. The documents show that by 2027, Amazon expects to automate most of its U.S. fulfillment centers, using robots to handle packaging, sorting, and movement of goods. The company already operates with more than 750,000 robots worldwide, but the new plan could see that number grow sharply. These advanced machines -- including the Proteus and Sequoia models -- are designed to move freely through warehouses, replacing the repetitive physical tasks once handled by humans. The goal is clear: efficiency, speed, and lower labor costs. Amazon reportedly expects to save around $12.6 billion from automation between 2025 and 2027. That would give it a massive competitive edge while cutting dependency on human labor during busy seasons like Prime Day and the holidays. Yet for employees, the question looms large -- will there be enough work left for people once robots take over the floor? The leaked data points to around 600,000 U.S. jobs being replaced, including warehouse staff, delivery station workers, and even some administrative roles. These are positions that involve repetitive, predictable tasks -- the kind of work automation handles most efficiently. While Amazon insists that automation helps "create safer and smarter workplaces," critics say the company is gradually shifting away from its human workforce. Warehouse associates who lift, sort, and pack goods are most vulnerable, while higher-skilled positions such as robotics maintenance, programming, and systems management may see growth. Experts warn that this could widen the gap between low-wage and tech-skilled workers. Communities that rely heavily on Amazon jobs -- particularly in smaller towns -- could face severe economic consequences if automation rolls out faster than new jobs appear. The plan also mentions avoiding the hiring of up to 160,000 new workers who would otherwise have been needed by 2027. That means fewer opportunities for new employment, even as the company continues to expand. In response to reports about its internal automation goals, Amazon has maintained that these are internal projections, not official company policy. Executives have repeatedly said that robots are meant to "work alongside humans, not replace them." The company argues that automation improves workplace safety by reducing heavy lifting and repetitive strain. It also claims that many new roles are emerging -- from robotics technicians to AI system monitors -- creating opportunities for workers willing to retrain and adapt. However, not all employees are convinced. Many warehouse workers have expressed uncertainty about their long-term job security. Some say they already see more machines and fewer people on the floor. Others worry that retraining programs won't be enough to keep pace with rapid automation. The company's leadership, including CEO Andy Jassy, has acknowledged that artificial intelligence will "reduce the corporate workforce over the next few years." But so far, Amazon insists the broader workforce transformation will be gradual, not abrupt. If Amazon follows through on its automation targets, it could mark a turning point for the American labor market. The retail giant employs more than one million workers in the United States, making it one of the largest private employers in the world. Any major workforce shift at this scale could ripple through other industries. Economists say Amazon's move toward heavy automation could pressure competitors -- such as Walmart, Target, and FedEx -- to speed up their own robotics adoption. This could reshape the logistics and e-commerce job market nationwide, potentially reducing millions of low-skill jobs over time. At the same time, the rise of automation is expected to create demand for technical and supervisory roles, such as robotics engineers, AI operators, and warehouse safety managers. The challenge will be ensuring that displaced workers have access to training and pathways into these new positions. For policymakers, the issue goes beyond Amazon. It raises bigger questions about how to balance innovation with job protection, and whether companies should contribute more to retraining programs that prepare workers for the future. Automation has always been part of Amazon's growth story. Since acquiring robotics startup Kiva Systems in 2012, the company has integrated machines into nearly every aspect of its logistics operations. Robots now help lift heavy items, scan barcodes, and transport products between storage areas and packing stations. Amazon says this technology helps reduce injuries and improve productivity. Yet many employees feel the pace of change is faster than expected -- and that their jobs could vanish within a few years. Industry analysts say the reality lies somewhere in between. Robots will handle more routine work, while humans will take on roles that require problem-solving, oversight, and human judgment. The transition, however, won't be painless. It will require massive investment in retraining, support programs, and long-term planning to avoid widespread unemployment.
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Amazon Memos Point To Robot Takeover -- 600,000 Jobs Could Vanish - Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN)
Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) celebrated a robotic milestone earlier this year while making sure to say the company was not replacing human workers. New documents show that Amazon could have new plans to replace the necessity to hire human workers thanks to its robotic progression. * AMZN stock is gaining positive traction. Get the inside scoop here. Robots Take Over Over the years, Amazon has utilized robots and technology advancements to make its warehouses more efficient and lower its operating costs to help lower costs for consumers and improve operating margins. With sights set on more improvements to efficiency and costs, Amazon could be looking to replace future workers with robots. Benzinga reached out to Amazon for comment and had not heard back at publication. Internal documents from Amazon, viewed by the New York Times, show the e-commerce giant could turn to robots instead of hiring 160,000 people it needs to maintain growth of current and future operations by 2027. By replacing the future human workers with robots, Amazon would save an estimated 30 cents per item purchased and delivered to customers, according to the documents. With a goal of selling twice as many products as it currently sells by 2033, Amazon would need to hire around 600,000 people. The company is hoping robot advancements mean it won't have to add to its existing workforce in the U.S., potentially replacing those 600,000 future jobs with robots. Some of Amazon's warehouses already have fewer and fewer humans being utilized thanks to robotic advancements. Amazon's ultimate goal is for 75% of its operations to be automated. A document from Amazon's robotics team said it was helping to "flatten Amazon's hiring curve over the next 10 years." The statement came after an advanced warehouse in Shreveport, Louisiana, showed that 25% to 50% fewer human workers were needed with more robots used from the beginning. That design is expected to be copied by 40 Amazon facilities by the end of 2027. The documents show Amazon may already be preparing for the potential fallout from job losses and a lack of future hiring by making greater efforts in community events to instill goodwill with communities that have warehouses. Amazon may also have executives stop using certain words and phrases such as "automation" and "AI" in the future, preferring instead to say "cobot" to imply robots are working in close collaboration with humans. In the New York Times, Amazon spokeswoman Kelly Nantel said the documents viewed were incomplete and not the full picture of the e-commerce giant's future hiring goals. Nantel said Amazon plans to hire 250,000 people for the 2025 holiday season, but declined to say if any of those holiday roles would be permanent. Amazon told the New York Times that it does not have any words or phrase requirements for executives and plans to advance community involvement is not related to job losses. Read Also: Amazon Q2 Earnings Highlights: Double Beat, 'AI Progress Across The Board Continues' Job Losses Could Have Big Impact A Nobel Prize winner told the New York Times the potential job losses from Amazon could have an effect on employers such as Walmart and UPS, which could choose to also advance automation efforts and cut human jobs. "Nobody else has the same incentive as Amazon to find the way to automate," Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Daron Acemoglu said. "Once they work out how to do this profitably, it will spread to others, too." Acemoglu, who won the Nobel Prize in economic science in 2024, said Amazon could quickly go from best to among the worst in employment. "One of the biggest employers in the United States will become a net job destroyer, not a net job creator." Amazon is the second-largest employer in the U.S., hiring hundreds of thousands of workers nationwide in recent years. The company's workforce is around 1.2 million employees in the U.S., more than tripling since 2018. In July, Amazon said that it is offering training for employees to learn robotics management and offering career paths alongside its robotic advancements. Amazon acquired robotic company Kiva Systems in 2012 for $775 million. Kiva changed its name to Amazon Robotics in 2015 and has been a large focus of the e-commerce company's automation efforts since then. The acquisition could end up being one of the most important in Amazon's history as the e-commerce giant gets closer to having more robots employed than humans. Amazon Stock Price Action Amazon stock is up 2.682% to $222.58 on Tuesday versus a 52-week trading range of $161.43 to $242.52. Amazon stock is up 1.3% year-to-date in 2025. Read Next: Jeff Bezos Owned 43% Of Amazon At IPO -- Now He's Down To 9% Photo: Amazon employee with mobile robot, courtesy Amazon AMZNAmazon.com Inc$222.202.64%OverviewMarket News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
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Amazon's radical 'job destroyer' set to 'spread' to other companies
Amazon executives are moving to replace more than half a million workers with robots within the decade to save the company billions. The retail website, which has become America's second-largest employer behind Walmart, has tripled its workforce to 1.2 million since 2018. However, Amazon is planning drastic changes for its workforce over the next eight years. A cache of internal strategy documents, viewed by The New York Times, revealed Amazon executives were close to enacting the company's next big move. Amazon's automation team will seek to avoid hiring more than 160,000 people in the US by 2027. Executives told Amazon's board in 2024 the robotic automation would help the company avoid having to hire 600,000 people by 2033, when the company expects products sold to double. This translates to about 30 US cents saved on each item Amazon product packaged and delivered to customers. The ultimate goal is to automate 75 per cent of all operations to ensure superfast deliveries. Internal documents revealed that Amazon is convinced the move will come into effect soon, and therefore the company has already begun its PR campaign to build its "good corporate citizen" image. Accordingly, Amazon is participating in community events such as parades and the Toys for Tots foundation. The documents have also suggested Amazon tailor its language to avoid words such as "automation" and "artificial intelligence" and replace them with words such as "advanced technology". The word "robot" is also under consideration to be tweaked to "cobot", which suggestive of collaboration with humans. The radical measure is seen as a "job destroyer" by 2024 Nobel Prize winner and MIT economic science professor Daron Acemoglu. "Nobody else has the same incentive as Amazon to find the way to automate," Professor Acemoglu said. "Once they work out how to do this profitably, it will spread to others, too." Mr Acemoglu said if Amazaon's plan comes to fruition, the second largest employer in the US will become a "net job destroyer, not a net job creator". In July, Amazon's global head of PR for robotics and AI, Xavier Chao, compared AI robots and sorting machines to offices having a coffee machine and snacks close to the desks. "Retention is very, vitally important for us if we want to continue to manage and sustain our business and grow; we have to retain our workforce," Mr Chao said. "And so we think that innovation is part of the solution of creating a nice workplace that attracts people, and retains staff."
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Amazon's leaked internal documents reveal plans to replace up to 600,000 human workers with robots by 2033, aiming to automate 75% of its operations. This move could reshape the future of work in the retail and logistics industry.
Amazon, the e-commerce giant and second-largest employer in the United States, is reportedly on the brink of a massive workforce transformation. According to leaked internal documents, the company is planning to replace up to 600,000 human workers with robots by 2033, signaling a significant shift in its operational strategy
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.Source: Benzinga
Amazon's ambitious plan aims to automate 75% of its operations, with a focus on warehouses and logistics networks
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. The company expects to sell twice as many products by 2033 and believes that scaling up its robotics operations could help avoid hiring an additional 600,000 workers to meet this demand2
.Source: Sky News Australia
The automation drive is projected to save Amazon approximately $12.6 billion in labor costs between 2025 and 2027
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. By 2027, the company aims to avoid hiring 160,000 people, which could translate to savings of about 30 cents on each item packed and delivered to customers in the US4
.At the heart of this transformation are advanced robotics systems like Proteus and Sequoia, capable of navigating crowded warehouses autonomously
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. These machines are equipped with sensors, cameras, and AI algorithms that allow them to move, lift, and sort packages without human supervision. Amazon has already deployed over 750,000 robots worldwide and expects this number to grow sharply3
.Source: engadget
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The potential job losses from Amazon's automation efforts could have far-reaching effects on the retail and logistics industry. Experts suggest that competitors like Walmart and UPS might follow suit, accelerating a nationwide trend where millions of low- to mid-skill jobs could be replaced by machines over the next decade
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.Amazon has denied plans for mass layoffs and insists that automation doesn't necessarily mean job losses. The company argues that new technologies create opportunities in robotics maintenance, programming, and AI management
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. However, the leaked documents suggest that Amazon is preparing for potential fallout by increasing community engagement efforts and adjusting its corporate language to avoid terms like "automation" and "AI"5
.As Amazon continues to push the boundaries of automation and AI in retail and logistics, the company's actions could set a precedent for global corporations seeking to modernize operations. However, the social and economic trade-offs of this technological revolution remain a subject of intense debate and scrutiny.
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