Inside Meta’s push to put robots to work in data centers
Meta is testing robots that can plug in cables, reset servers, and handle other tasks inside its data centers, according to several current and former workers familiar with the projects. The ongoing effort, which has not been previously reported, may eventually allow Meta to operate its rapidly expanding data center footprint with fewer humans, keeping labor costs in check as its spending on AI infrastructure soars. Meta is using robots and related hardware from several different vendors, includ
Meta is testing robots in its data centers to perform tasks typically done by human technicians, such as plugging in cables, resetting servers, and managing power cycling. The company is motivated to reduce labor costs as it rapidly expands its AI infrastructure spending, though it states that skilled worker shortages mean it needs more employees rather than fewer. One data center worker estimates that if successful, robots could replace up to 80 percent of some technicians' workloads, raising concerns among employees about job security. While robots were previously too expensive and unreliable for delicate data center work, recent advances in AI and cheaper hardware have made them more feasible, and other major tech companies are pursuing similar robotics investments.
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