According to reports, Amazon is preparing one of the biggest workplace automation initiatives in history, with the goal of having more than 600,000 American jobs replaced by robots by 2033. The e-commerce behemoth plans to automate around 75% of its operations, including fulfillment centers, shipping logistics, and warehousing chores, according to leaked internal documents that The New York Times was able to access. This bold strategy demonstrates Amazon’s increasing dependence on robotics to boost productivity and cut expenses.
The documents suggest that Amazon expects this large-scale automation to save approximately $12.6 billion between 2025 and 2027, equating to a reduction of about 30 cents per item shipped. A significant portion of these job cuts, around 160,000, could occur as early as 2027 if the company successfully implements its robotics strategy. The plan underscores the company’s long-term vision to streamline operations and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape.
According to reports, Amazon is thinking about using strategic language in its communications to lessen possible criticism over the big layoffs. Instead than using phrases like “job cuts” or “AI replacement,” internal memos advise referring to automation projects as “advanced technology” or “cobots” (collaborative robots). As automation rises, the corporation is also looking into ways to strengthen its community presence and enhance public awareness.
Amazon has made it clear that these disclosed intentions do not reflect the company’s broader employment strategy in spite of these disclosures. According to a spokeswoman, Amazon is still hiring and recently revealed plans to hire 250,000 people for the holiday season. This dual strategy emphasizes the conflict between keeping a human workforce for more complicated procedures and automating repetitive chores.
Economists have weighed in on the potential implications of such large-scale automation. Daron Acemoglu, a leading labor economist, warned that if Amazon successfully implements this plan, the company could shift from being a major job creator to a net job destroyer. This shift could have profound consequences for communities that rely heavily on Amazon employment, particularly in regions where the company’s operations form a significant portion of local job markets.
Amazon’s automation efforts are already well underway. The company has integrated over 750,000 robots into its operations and announced the deployment of its one-millionth robot in June 2025. These machines handle tasks ranging from moving inventory in warehouses to sorting and packing packages. By expanding this robotic workforce, Amazon aims to increase operational speed while reducing human error and labor costs.
While automation offers clear efficiency benefits, it also raises questions about the future of work. Balancing technological advancement with the need to preserve employment is a challenge facing many industries. As companies like Amazon push the boundaries of robotics, policymakers, workers, and business leaders must consider how to manage the transition, ensuring that displaced workers are supported and opportunities for human labor remain viable.
Ultimately, Amazon’s plan to replace 600,000 workers with robots illustrates the growing intersection of technology and labor in the modern economy. As the company continues to innovate, the way humans and machines collaborate in the workplace may be reshaped, defining a new era for both employment and automation.
