Amazon is reportedly accelerating its automation plans in a bid to dramatically cut future hiring needs across its U.S. operations. According to internal documents and interviews reviewed by The New York Times, the company is aiming to avoid hiring more than 600,000 domestic workers over the next decade by leaning on robotics and advanced technology.
The documents suggest that Amazon expects to sell roughly twice as many products by 2033, yet still reduce its reliance on human labor.
The company’s robotics division is targeting automation of 75% of Amazon’s entire operations, with an estimated 160,000 jobs avoided by 2027 alone. These changes could generate substantial savings — up to $12.6 billion from 2025 to 2027 — cutting around 30 cents from the cost of handling and delivering each item.
In anticipation of public concern over widespread job displacement, Amazon has reportedly explored how to soften the messaging. Internal strategy discussions referenced in the report reveal efforts to reframe language around automation, favoring terms like “advanced technology” or “cobots” (collaborative robots) over more charged words like “AI” or “automation.”
The company has also discussed bolstering community engagement as part of its broader public image strategy.
Amazon has pushed back on the interpretation of these documents, stating they reflect the thinking of just one team and not the company’s overarching hiring plans. The company emphasized that it continues to hire across its operations and recently announced plans to add 250,000 seasonal jobs for the holidays.
