Discussions within Amazon have suggested avoiding terms like "automation" or "artificial intelligence" in the public narrative and instead referring to "advanced technology." Similarly, the term "cobots" (collaborative robots) should be used instead of "robots."
Highlights
Amazon aims to automate 75% of operations
There will be no need for 5 lakh new recruitments by 2033
There will be a saving of approximately Rs 26 on each package.
E-commerce giant Amazon is preparing to implement large-scale automation in its warehouse operations in the coming years. According to a report, internal company documents have revealed that Amazon aims to automate about 75% of its total operations, which will significantly reduce its dependence on human workforce. The report claims that this move can help Amazon avoid more than 5 lakh new recruitments in the coming few years, which will save the company about 30 cents (about Rs 25) on every package.
The New York Times reports that the long-term goal of Amazon's robotics team is to build warehouses that require minimal human labor. Internal estimates suggest the company could add 160,000 employees in the US by 2027, while this number could reach 500,000 by 2033. Interestingly, Amazon expects its product sales to double during this period, but the number of human employees will decrease. Currently, the company employs around 1.2 million people.
The report also revealed that Amazon is strategizing ahead of potential criticism surrounding these changes. Discussions within the company have suggested avoiding terms like "automation" or "artificial intelligence" in public narratives and instead referring to them as "advanced technology." Similarly, replacing "robots" with "cobots" (collaborative robots) should be used to show that the technology is working alongside humans, not replacing them.
According to the report, Amazon is also working to improve its corporate image as a "good corporate citizen." To this end, the company plans to increase its participation in community activities and local events to soften the impact of job losses due to automation.
Amazon spokeswoman Kelly Nantel told the New York Times that the documents cited in the report represent the vision of an internal group, not a company-wide policy. She also stated that Amazon plans to hire 250,000 new employees for the holiday season, though it was not clear whether these hires would be contractual or permanent.
It's worth noting that Amazon's big bet on automation isn't new. In 2012, the company acquired a robotics company called Kiva Systems for $775 million, its first major tech automation deal. Last year, the company launched its most advanced warehouse, where nearly 1,000 robots can process a single package with virtually no human intervention.
How many jobs does Amazon plan to replace with automation?
