For everyone worrying about AI costing Americans jobs sometime in the future it's time to realize ... the future is now.
Case in point: General Motors has replaced over 1,000 jobs at its Detroit assembly plant with 50 robots, known as cobots, due to reduced demand for EV models.
The cobots are working alongside human workers at the Factory Zero plant in Michigan to attach body panels to vehicles, with GM claiming they improve safety and ergonomics.
The union, as one would expect, isn't keen on the move.
"It's always a concern when you see a robot coming to a plant, especially after they have laid off over a thousand people," Cotton told Crain's Detroit. "They say it's the wave of the future, and if that's so, they're taking away jobs from people. From top to bottom, we're disgusted that they have cobots in our plants."
He also expressed safety concerns about robots working alongside humans.
Despite the increased automation, UAW says has made historic wage gains in 2023 and the union adds it plans to seek stronger protections in the 2028 contract negotiations.
GM's heavy automation and cobot push come as the company faces slowing EV demand, leading to production pauses at Factory Zero. Hence, cutting humans and adding robots.
At the same time, Yahoo Finance reported that in the first quarter of 2026, GM had $4.25 billion in profits, up 22% from the same period the previous year.
And GM President Mary Barra has made no secret of her plans for an AI-innovated future.
“AI not only optimizes manufacturing processes and accelerates virtual testing but also helps us build smarter vehicles while empowering our workforce to focus on craftsmanship," she said at an event earlier this year. By merging technology with human ingenuity, we unlock new levels of innovation in vehicle manufacturing and beyond.”
With robots gaining traction, UAW president Shawn Fain said workers are “in a fight for humanity,” according to the News Tribune.
“The fruits of our labor have multiplied like never before, but workers aren’t reaping the harvest,” he said, according to the outlet.
