Amazon Expands Robot Fleet, Raising Concerns for Human Workers

Amazon operates more than 1 million robots in its warehouses, facilitating millions of daily package deliveries. The company intends to substantially increase this robotic fleet by establishing new factories for more capable robot workers. Amazon is also the world's second-largest corporate employer, with over 1.5 million full-time and part-time human workers, as per its 2025 annual report. Amazon executives state that the expanding robot fleet alleviates the burden on human workers by undertaking strenuous fulfillment center tasks that pose higher risks of physical fatigue and injury. However, labor advocacy groups and independent researchers present evidence suggesting that warehouse automation, driven by AI, does not exclusively benefit human workers. Brian Greenwood, professor of business at George Mason University, explained that unlike historical automation, which typically occurred away from workers, the rise of collaborative robots changes this dynamic. He noted that these robots are physically proximate to humans and can dictate the pace of work, which presents new challenges for the human workforce.