Amazon's Bold Move Towards Full Automation: 600,000 Jobs at Risk

Amazon has been steadily integrating robotic systems into its warehouses for a long time. The company reassured the public that robots would never fully replace human workers. However, a recent leak of confidential documents reveals a more radical plan: Amazon is preparing to replace 600,000 human workers with machines. According to a report by The New York Times, the company aims to automate 75% of its operations, cutting 160,000 jobs by 2027.

The Economic Incentive: Cutting Costs and Boosting Profits

This move would allow Amazon to save up to 30 cents on every item shipped to customers. In total, the company estimates savings of $12.6 billion between 2025 and 2027. The long-term vision is even more ambitious: by 2033, Amazon expects to double its sales, increase profits, and decrease the number of human employees. The company has acknowledged that such job cuts may spark negative reactions, which is why they are exploring ways to participate in community projects and soften the impact.

Redefining Automation: A New Language for the Future

In response to the backlash, Amazon plans to shift away from terms like "AI" and "automation." Instead, they’ll focus on the broader term "leading technologies." This linguistic change aims to mask the true extent of the disruption. As Nobel laureate Daron Acemoglu warns, once Amazon perfects its automation strategy, other companies will likely follow suit, turning one of the largest U.S. employers into a destroyer of jobs rather than a creator.