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Leaked Amazon Documents Detail Expansive Automation Plan; Company Disputes Job-Loss Estimates

A New York Times report cites internal planning to automate core operations, sidestepping large future hiring.

Overview

  • The leaked materials reportedly envision automating about 75% of warehousing, shipping, and logistics processes across Amazon’s U.S. operations.
  • Internal projections cited by the report indicate roughly 160,000 U.S. roles might go unfilled by 2027 and up to 600,000 by 2033, with about $12.6 billion in savings forecast over two years.
  • One document cited by media estimates savings of roughly 30 cents per packaged and delivered item as automation scales across high-volume fulfillment.
  • Amazon says the documents are incomplete and reflect one team’s view rather than companywide staffing strategy, noting plans to hire 250,000 workers for the holiday period.
  • Economist Daron Acemoglu warns the approach could shift a major U.S. employer from job creator to job reducer and potentially set a template other large firms may emulate.