Meta is conducting experiments with robotic systems in its data centers to automate tasks traditionally performed by human technicians, according to current and former workers at the company. The robotics equipment comes from various manufacturers, including Watney Robotics, Kinova, and ABB. These trials involve testing robotic arms for power cycling servers and robots designed to swap networking cables, with some workers estimating that successful implementation could replace up to 80 percent of certain job functions. Additionally, Meta has deployed simpler robotic devices capable of pressing power buttons on equipment to restart systems when directed remotely.
The company’s interest in data center robotics stems from technological advances that have made such automation increasingly feasible and cost-effective. Hardware prices have declined significantly, and artificial intelligence models now provide robots with substantially greater capabilities than in previous years. Industry challenges that previously hindered robot adoption, such as equipment damage during delicate operations, have become more manageable. Meta representatives cite the company’s substantial investments in worker training and hiring for data center operations, with spokesman Francis Brennan noting that skilled labor shortages persist across the infrastructure sector. The company has launched training programs at no cost to participants and partnered with building trade unions to fund apprenticeships across several states.
However, concerns about job security have emerged among data center workers. Some employees worry that automation could eliminate positions faster than anticipated, while others express concern that remaining roles may shift toward lower-skilled positions focused on following AI-guided instructions rather than independent problem-solving. Proponents of workplace robotics argue the technology could eliminate repetitive and potentially dangerous tasks while allowing workers to focus on more complex responsibilities. The technology could also enable data center operations in environments currently unsuitable for human workers, such as underwater or space-based facilities.
The growing adoption of robotics in data centers has received minimal attention from activist groups focused on the broader data center industry, even as communities reassess tax incentives and regulatory frameworks for such facilities. Local officials in areas hosting major data center operations have begun considering how automation might affect employment projections that influenced earlier public investment decisions.
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