30,000 robots a year: the move that threatens to wipe out thousands of jobs
The fear of automotive workers regarding robot replacement is becoming a reality. Major automakers BMW and Hyundai have announced plans to integrate AI-powered humanoid robots into their production lines, sparking fierce opposition from labor unions.
The great fear of automotive industry workers that robots will replace them is becoming a reality on the ground. Major automakers BMW and Hyundai have announced their intention to integrate AI-powered humanoid robots into their production lines. The move is sparking fierce opposition from labor unions, which warn that it is a direct threat to the future of human employment. The president of the United Auto Workers union in the United States, Shawn Fain, defined the integration of humanoid robots as a "deep threat" and a struggle for humanity itself.
Hyundai's plan: 30,000 robots a year
Hyundai's plans are the most extensive in the field. The company aims to produce about 30,000 humanoid robots annually starting in 2028, with integration beginning at a plant in Georgia and expanding to other plants worldwide. At the same time, BMW has already begun operating small pilot programs at its plants in the United States and Germany. BMW management explained that the great advantage of robots with a human structure is the ability to integrate them into almost any workstation where a human currently works, without the need for special changes.
These moves are causing deep concern among employee representatives. The Hyundai labor union in South Korea sent a warning letter to management, demanding prior consultation before introducing the robots into operation. According to the union, the company is using new technology to reduce the number of employees, lower wage costs, and increase profits at their expense. Union representatives have made it clear they are preparing for action to ensure protective mechanisms are established to safeguard their rights and jobs.
The threat is spreading to other sectors
The automotive industry is not the only sector where workers fear losing their jobs to automation and artificial intelligence. A report by the AFL-CIO warns that without clear rules and employee involvement in decision-making, new technologies endanger the working conditions, safety, and economic security of millions. A prominent example is the entry of autonomous vehicles, which are beginning to replace drivers in ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft.
Although some labor unions manage to obtain protections in collective bargaining agreements, almost 90% of the workforce in the United States is not represented by a labor union. These workers remain exposed to the decisions of companies seeking to replace them with machines. The struggle between human workers and AI-powered robots is no longer science fiction, but an economic reality reshaping the global labor market.
