Meta Tests Robots in Data Centers Amid Job Concerns
Meta is testing robots from Watney Robotics, Kinova, and ABB for data center operations, potentially reducing human labor needs. The company has launched a $115 million workforce academy aimed at training workers for data center construction rather than operational tasks that robots will handle.
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Meta is conducting trials of robots from Watney Robotics, Kinova, and ABB in its data centers for tasks such as wiring, restarting servers, and relocating equipment. A worker estimates that a wiring robot could take on 80% of certain workloads, potentially leading to a reduced workforce amid increasing infrastructure spending.
The trials are taking place in locations like Altoona, Iowa, and New Albany, Ohio, where robots are being tested under supervision but have not yet matched human efficiency. Meta's $115 million America's Workforce Academy aims to train workers for construction roles, indicating a focus on human labor in the building phase rather than in ongoing operations.
Concerns arise that the company might shift towards hiring less skilled labor due to robotic automation, which could impact job security. Similar initiatives are noted from other tech firms like Microsoft and Amazon, indicating a broader industry trend toward automation in data maintenance.
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