Leaked documents show that Amazon aims to replace two-thirds of its workforce with robotic systems by 2027. The company plans to automate 75% of its operations.
Amazon, the second-largest employer in the US, is shifting towards automation instead of increasing its headcount. According to internal documents obtained by The New York Times, Amazon’s automation team plans to forego hiring 160,000 workers who would otherwise have been necessary in the US alone by 2027. This strategy will help the company save approximately 30% per package on packaging and delivery costs.
And that’s not all. In a presentation to the board last year, company executives stated that robotic systems could keep US employment levels flat, even if sales double by 2033. This means Amazon could avoid hiring 600,000 new employees in the coming years. The documents also reveal that Amazon’s ultimate goal is to automate 75% of its operations.
Advanced Technology or a Wave of Unemployment?
As concerns grow over the impact of automation and artificial intelligence on the workforce, Amazon’s moves are reverberating across the industry. According to experts, this direction from Amazon, which is a decisive player in e-commerce, could lead other giants like Walmart and UPS to follow similar paths.
Leaked information also suggests that the company is preparing for image management against potential backlash. As reported by The New York Times, Amazon discussed participating in community events, organizing toy drives, and using phrases like “advanced technology” and “collaborative robot (cobot)” instead of “automation” or “artificial intelligence.”
“The View of a Single Team“
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said, “These documents represent the perspective of only one team. They should not be considered a hiring plan applicable to all of Amazon’s business units.” She also emphasized that the company will hire 250,000 new workers for the upcoming holiday season. In its statement to The New York Times, Amazon added that it has not asked employees to avoid specific terms and that community activities are not related to its automation plans.
The Shreveport Model
Amazon already has one million robots actively working globally. The impact of automation is most clearly seen at the company’s advanced technology warehouse in Shreveport, Louisiana. This facility was designed as a model for Amazon’s future robotic centers. The documents reveal that approximately one thousand robots work at the warehouse, which has reduced human labor by 25%.
Amazon plans to implement this model in 40 new facilities by the end of 2027. The first of these began operations in Virginia Beach in April 2024. State Governor Glenn Youngkin stated at the opening that this center would create 1,000 full-time jobs.
The Dual Face of Automation
Udit Madan, Amazon’s President of Worldwide Operations, states that the company reinvests the savings gained from automation to “create new roles.” The opening of new delivery centers, especially in rural areas, is cited as a result of this approach. Nevertheless, the picture is clear: Amazon is on the verge of a transformative shift that will fundamentally change the nature of work in the next few years. This transformation means a revolution in efficiency for some, and an impending wave of unemployment for others.
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