When robots replace humans

By Amy Zents

Amazon plans to replace hundreds of thousands of warehouse workers with robots.

Internal documents show the company aims to automate up to 75% of warehouse tasks over the next decade.

Executives describe the shift as a move toward efficiency and higher-skilled jobs. Leaked details indicate the primary goal is reducing labor costs.

The changes extend beyond individual tasks. Communities that rely on Amazon warehouses for employment could see fewer job openings over time.

Workers who remain may be asked to retrain for roles in robot maintenance or logistics oversight. Not all employees will have access to these programs.

For Amazon, automation offers clear advantages. Robots cost less than human workers. They operate longer hours, require no wages or benefits, and typically produce fewer errors.

The broader economic effects are unclear. Towns dependent on warehouse employment may face financial challenges. Displaced workers could have difficulty finding comparable jobs.

The shift raises questions about the role of human labor in an increasingly automated economy.

Amazon has not publicly commented on the leaked documents.

https://www.theverge.com/news/803257/amazon-robotics-automation-replace-600000-human-jobs