Amazon’s master plan to replace 600,000 workers with robots by 2033 — complete with a “good corporate citizen” play to avoid backlash from the growing divide between the tech elite and normal people

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As new technologies like generative AI and robotics develop quickly, more and more human jobs are at risk. Recently, tech industry leaders have warned that people need to adjust rapidly to these changes or face job losses.

Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, believes AI will eventually be able to do most jobs currently done by people. However, he thinks humans will still want to control certain activities, especially those we enjoy doing ourselves – he jokingly pointed out that most people wouldn’t want to watch robots play baseball.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei predicts that AI could eliminate as many as half of all entry-level white-collar jobs, potentially leaving young people without a way to support themselves. While it’s early days, the impact of this change is already beginning to be felt.

Amazon, led by Jeff Bezos, has increasingly used robots, particularly in its warehouses, to handle tasks that are repetitive or physically demanding. This helps the company work faster and more efficiently, and it frees up employees to concentrate on more complex and valuable work.

Leaked documents and reports in The New York Times suggest Amazon might replace around 600,000 warehouse workers with robots by 2033.

As a tech enthusiast, I’m fascinated by Amazon’s latest push into automation. Reports suggest they’re aiming to automate around 75% of their work using robotics – that’s huge! Apparently, this could save them about 30 cents per manufactured item. I was reading an interview with Daron Acemoglu, an MIT professor who really knows his stuff about automation, in The New York Times, and he shed some light on this…

Amazon has a unique drive to develop automation technologies. Once they figure out how to do it in a way that makes financial sense, other companies will likely follow suit.

The report indicates Amazon is considering a hiring freeze to prioritize investments in robotics. This is a risky move, particularly as the company hopes to double its sales by 2033. Ultimately, Amazon envisions automating most warehouse tasks with robots, minimizing the need for human workers.

Amazon is increasingly using robots in its Shreveport, Louisiana warehouse. These robots take over tasks after an item is packed, and as a result, the warehouse has already seen a 25% decrease in hiring.

Now that we’re close to achieving this important goal, we believe we can significantly slow down the rate of hiring at Amazon over the next decade.

Amazon

Amazon intends to expand a particular approach to 40 of its locations by 2027. As part of this plan, they expect to reduce staffing at their Stone Mountain warehouse by 1,200 workers.

I’ve noticed something interesting while looking at some internal Amazon documents. They seem to be avoiding terms like ‘AI’ and ‘automation’ directly. Instead, they’re referring to these concepts as ‘advanced technology’ and using the term ‘cobot’ – which describes humans and robots working together on the same tasks.

You know, what’s really fascinating about Amazon is how thoughtfully they seem to be planning their robotic automation. It’s not just about robots taking over jobs – they’re actually anticipating the public’s reaction and trying to soften the blow. I’ve noticed they’re aiming to be seen as a good neighbor, getting involved in things like local parades – a pretty clever way to build goodwill while rolling out more automation, if you ask me.

An Amazon spokesperson recently told The New York Times that leaked documents didn’t accurately represent the company’s overall hiring plans. They explained that the documents only showed the strategy of a single team, and often, leaks provide an incomplete or inaccurate view of what’s happening. “Leaked documents often paint an incomplete and misleading picture of our plans, and that’s the case here,” the spokesperson said.

The company representative said they plan to hire 250,000 people as the holidays approach. It’s unclear if these jobs will be permanent.

FAQ

What exactly is Amazon planning?

Amazon plans to use robots to automate much of its work in warehouses and delivery by 2033, potentially replacing up to 600,000 jobs currently done by people.

Why is Amazon doing this?

Robots don’t require things like salaries, benefits, or time off – and they won’t form unions. For Amazon, the goal is to significantly reduce expenses and increase profits, even if it results in job losses for many. This is the direction things are heading!

How is Amazon trying to avoid backlash?

It’s the same old story – misleading information. The company is starting to publicly emphasize its positive contributions, like community projects and programs to help workers learn new skills. However, critics believe this is just a superficial attempt to divert attention from the significant number of jobs being cut.

How does this connect to the movie Elysium (2013)?

The movie *Elysium* depicts a stark divide: the rich live in a lavish space station while everyone else struggles on Earth. Amazon seems to be mirroring this future, with robots doing the work, leaders getting the profits, and those who lose their jobs being told to simply adjust. It’s available to rent on Amazon now – the irony is pretty strong.

What does this mean for workers?

This probably translates to fewer secure, long-term jobs, increased dependence on temporary or freelance work, and a widening gap between those who benefit from technology and those whose jobs are eliminated by it.

Is this just Amazon, or a broader trend?

While Amazon is at the forefront, automation and artificial intelligence are transforming businesses across all sectors. The impact is particularly significant with Amazon because of its size – changes there affect worldwide supply chains and the jobs of many people.

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2025-10-24 17:12