50 Robots Have Replaced 1,000 Workers at GM’s Detroit Factory

General Motors has cut more than 1,000 jobs at its Factory ZERO plant in Detroit while introducing 50 collaborative robots to its assembly line, drawing criticism from the United Auto Workers union as automakers accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence and automation.

The machines, known as “cobots” because they are designed to work alongside human employees, are being used to help attach vehicle body panels as cars move through production. GM says the technology is aimed at improving workplace safety and efficiency, while also helping the company maintain flexibility in its manufacturing operations.

“We’ve been installing cobots across our manufacturing footprint as part of a broader push to bring more advanced technology into our operations,” company spokesperson Kevin Kelly said in a statement. “At Factory ZERO, we are implementing them alongside our team, helping improve safety and ergonomics, while keeping our operations flexible and competitive.”

GM has said the job cuts are temporary, but the company has not provided a timeline for when affected workers could return.

The move has angered union leaders, who argue that automation should not come at the expense of manufacturing jobs.

“Our manpower is being taken away from us,” UAW Local 22 president James Cotton told Crain’s Detroit Business. He added that the union is “disgusted” that cobots are now operating inside the plant.

The union has filed grievances over the changes, while Cotton has also raised concerns about workplace safety as robots increasingly operate alongside employees.

UAW President Shawn Fain said at a union convention in Detroit that workers are “in a fight for humanity” and argued that artificial intelligence should not be used to prevent employees from benefiting from productivity gains.

GM has been expanding its investment in automation and artificial intelligence as part of efforts to modernise manufacturing. The company has also announced a partnership with Nvidia focused on factory robotics.

At an event last year, CEO Mary Barra said AI allows GM to “build smarter vehicles while empowering our workforce to focus on craftsmanship.”

The shift toward greater automation is also taking place across the global auto industry. Toyota is deploying humanoid robots at its RAV4 plant in Canada, while BMW is expanding pilot programmes involving humanoid robots as manufacturers look to improve efficiency and address labour challenges.

The debate reflects a broader tension facing the automotive sector: how to balance technological advances with the need to protect manufacturing employment as artificial intelligence transforms factory operations.

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