Amazon and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have joined forces to comprehend how emerging technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) automation will impact the workforce.

Under the partnership, announced on Wednesday, October 19, Amazon has committed to supporting the expansion of MIT’s Automation Clinic, a hub dedicated to engineering research aimed at uncovering the dynamics between humans and automation.

In addition, MIT, in association with the polling research firm Ipsos, will conduct a comprehensive study to gauge the sentiment of the public and employees regarding the utilisation of robotics and AI in the industrial landscape. This endeavour will offer valuable insights into the thoughts and perceptions of those at the forefront of automation’s impact.

The outcomes of this research will serve as guidance for both MIT and Amazon in their quest to develop collaborative technologies that enhance the working experience for employees. Amazon, in particular, aims to leverage these findings to develop robotics that not only streamlines operations but also prioritises employee safety.

Julie Shah, the H.N. Slater professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT, who leads MIT’s cross-disciplinary teams of engineers and social scientists, said: “The vision of my lab’s research is to be intentional about developing machine intelligence that enhances rather than replaces human capability. We aim to understand how automation can coexist with better jobs and foster a positive impact for both firms and workers.

“The research shows that human-centered approaches to technology design reliably produce better results for workers and firms. However, as machines become more complex in their decision-making capabilities, the metaphor of a robot as collaborator, or partner, is valuable as well,” she continued.

Tye Brady, the chief technologist at Amazon Robotics, said: “We have more than 750,000 mobile robots in our operations and thousands of other robotic systems that help move, sort, identify, and package customer orders. It’s very rewarding to see the impact that this has on employees who develop new skills as they work alongside our latest technologies.”

Commenting on the issue of safety in the work space, Brady continued, “Company data shows that recordable incident rates and lost-time incident rates were 15 per cent and 18 per cent lower, respectively, at Amazon robotics sites than they were at its non-robotics sites in 2022.”