Amazon Plans Automate 75% Operations Replace Over 600,000 US Workers by 2033

Amazon plans to automate 75% of its operations, aiming to replace over 600,000 US jobs by 2033 despite expecting sales to double during the same period. By 2027, automation could eliminate up to 160,000 jobs, saving the company around $12.6 billion between 2025 and 2027 and reducing costs by about 30 cents per item handled. To mitigate backlash over potential job losses, Amazon has considered rebranding its automation efforts using terms like "advanced technology" and "cobots"—robots that work alongside humans—instead of "automation" or "AI." The company denies that executives are prohibited from using specific robotics-related terms and states the leaked documents do not reflect the full hiring strategy. Experts warn that if Amazon's automation plans succeed, it could become a significant net job destroyer in the US labor market, influencing other companies to follow suit. Amazon's robotics initiatives, including the deployment of robots named Sparrow, Cardinal, and Proteus, are gradually replacing human warehouse workers.