Amazon's Big Holiday Plan? Replacing 600,000 Human Workers With Robots, a New Report Says

Core Insights - Amazon is planning to significantly increase its use of robots, potentially replacing over 600,000 human jobs by 2033 to meet rising demand [2][3] - The company aims to automate 75% of its operations, having already deployed over 1 million robots, which is about two-thirds of its human workforce [3][4] - The shift towards automation could save Amazon up to $4 billion annually by 2027 [4] Employment Impact - Amazon is the third largest employer in the US, with approximately 1.5 million employees, primarily in warehouses and delivery roles [7] - A reduction of 600,000 jobs would be comparable to the complete disappearance of FedEx, which employs around 550,000 people [7] - Studies indicate that for every robot added per 1,000 workers, US wages decrease by 0.42%, contributing to an estimated loss of 400,000 jobs [8] Corporate Strategy - Amazon is considering strategies to mitigate the negative impact on communities that may lose jobs, including enhancing its image as a "good corporate citizen" [5] - The company plans to avoid using terms like "automation" and "AI," opting for phrases like "advanced technology" and "cobot" to suggest collaboration [5] - Despite the focus on automation, Amazon asserts that it continues to create jobs, with plans to hire 250,000 employees for the holiday season [6][9]