Automakers and workers face existential fight over robots, future

Automakers and workers are framing what they call an existential fight over the future of work, with collaborative robots already operating inside GM's Factory ZERO in Detroit. The issue dominated discussions at the UAW Constitutional Convention and Reindustrialize conference, where executives, union leaders and industry analysts framed AI, robotics and automation as a real, current challenge rather than a theoretical debate. GM has roughly 50 cobots deployed at Factory ZERO, about five miles from downtown Detroit, a move the company says augments safety and ergonomics while preserving plant flexibility to stay globally competitive against speed-focused rivals in China. Supporters say automation boosts productivity and consistency, while critics warn it could erode jobs; UAW President Shawn Fain declared that AI and humanoid robots pose a profound threat to livelihoods and humanity. AutoForecast Solutions' Sam Fiorani underscored the urgency, noting the global market requires competitive automation across operations, potentially reducing human headcount in some plants.