Amazon aims to replace over half a million US jobs with robots: report

Core Insights - Amazon plans to replace over half a million jobs in the US with robots, aiming to avoid hiring over 600,000 people in the coming years while expecting to double product sales by 2033 [1][2] Automation Strategy - The transition from human workers to robots is expected to occur over the next few years, with Amazon aiming to avoid hiring over 160,000 US workers by 2027, saving approximately $0.30 on each item shipped [2] - The company's robotics team is targeting to automate 75% of its operations [2][15] - Amazon has already implemented significant automation in its Shreveport, Louisiana facility, where robots handle most of the shipping process, allowing the company to employ 25% fewer warehouse workers [12] Workforce Impact - Since 2018, Amazon has tripled its US workforce to nearly 1.2 million, making it the second-largest employer in the country [5][19] - The automation strategy may lead to a reduction in warehouse jobs, raising concerns about the impact on communities and particularly on people of color, who are overrepresented among Amazon's warehouse workers [9] Corporate Image and Community Engagement - Internal documents suggest Amazon is considering ways to present itself as a "good corporate citizen" in communities affected by job losses, including participation in local events and using less alarming terminology around automation [8][17] - Some staffers are strategizing on how to manage the narrative surrounding automation and job displacement by emphasizing new technician roles and innovation [17] Future Plans - Amazon is looking to replicate its automation approach in approximately 40 facilities by the end of 2027, with some retrofitted warehouses projected to require up to 1,200 fewer employees [14] - Despite the focus on automation, Amazon's global operations head indicated that savings from automation have historically been used to create new jobs, suggesting a complex overall impact on employment [19]