Amazon intends to eliminate more than 500,000 warehouse positions across the United States through robotic automation by 2033. Documents reviewed by reporters show the retail giant expects to avoid hiring 160,000 workers by 2027 as machines take over most facility operations.
The company already deployed robots to handle nearly all tasks at its Shreveport warehouse in Louisiana after the packaging stage. That location needs 25 percent fewer employees than traditional facilities and could cut staffing in half when additional machines arrive next year.
Amazon plans similar upgrades at roughly 40 warehouses by 2027. The Stone Mountain facility in Georgia may reduce its workforce by 1,200 positions once the technology arrives.
Company representative Kelly Nantel disputed the accuracy of the leaked materials, saying they reflected one team's views rather than the corporate hiring strategy. She noted Amazon will add 250,000 seasonal workers, but did not say how many will become permanent staff members after the holidays end.
MIT economist Daron Acemoglu warned that other major employers will adopt the same approach once Amazon proves it is profitable. He said one of the nation's largest employers could destroy more jobs than it creates through widespread automation adoption.
The company already deployed robots to handle nearly all tasks at its Shreveport warehouse in Louisiana after the packaging stage. That location needs 25 percent fewer employees than traditional facilities and could cut staffing in half when additional machines arrive next year.
Amazon plans similar upgrades at roughly 40 warehouses by 2027. The Stone Mountain facility in Georgia may reduce its workforce by 1,200 positions once the technology arrives.
Company representative Kelly Nantel disputed the accuracy of the leaked materials, saying they reflected one team's views rather than the corporate hiring strategy. She noted Amazon will add 250,000 seasonal workers, but did not say how many will become permanent staff members after the holidays end.
MIT economist Daron Acemoglu warned that other major employers will adopt the same approach once Amazon proves it is profitable. He said one of the nation's largest employers could destroy more jobs than it creates through widespread automation adoption.
