Amazon is reportedly planning to replace over half a million jobs with robots, according to internal documents obtained by the New York Times.
The move is part of the e-commerce giant’s broader push to automate its operations, particularly in warehouses.
The documents reveal that Amazon’s robotics team aims to automate 75% of its operations, reducing the number of human employees to the minimum necessary.
The automation initiative is expected to prevent the company from hiring more than 1,60,000 people in the U.S. by 2027, saving around 30 cents (approximately Rs 26) on every item picked, packed, and delivered.
By 2033, executives expect the automation drive could avoid up to 6,00,000 new hires, even as sales are projected to double. Currently, Amazon employs roughly 1.2 million workers.
To prepare for potential backlash, the documents suggest using terms like “advanced technology” instead of “automation” or “artificial intelligence,” and “cobots” — a collaboration of humans and robots — instead of “robots.”
The company has also considered bolstering its public image through greater community engagement, the report said.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel told the New York Times that the documents reflect the perspective of a single group within the company.
She also highlighted that Amazon plans to hire 2,50,000 people for the upcoming holiday season, though it is unclear whether these positions will be permanent or contractual.
