Meta is introducing robots into data centres that support artificial intelligence operations. According to WIRED, the equipment has been used to test the replacement of network cables, the re-launching of servers, inspection equipment and removal racks. As the AI infrastructure continues to expand, such automation tools also raise concerns about changes in data centre positions.

The scope of the test covers multiple dimensions

It was reported that Meta tested robots from various companies, including Watney Robotics in San Francisco, Kinova in Quebec and ABB in Zurich. The current test scene is mainly focused on repetitive work in the server room.

  • Replacement of network cables
  • Restart Server
  • Inspection equipment status

In addition, some of the equipment is still trying to move server racks. At this stage, however, robots still need manual supervision and their performance in the face of barriers, re-routing, visual recognition and intensive wiring remains limited.

It's still not working.

One of the staff interviewed estimated that if the robot that replaced the cable eventually matured, at most 80 per cent of some jobs might be replaced. But this is just an employee's personal judgment, not a Meta official projection.

At the same time, reports indicate that these robots are still not as fast as manual at present, and that technical cooperation is indispensable for complex maintenance tasks. In other words, Meta's tests are closer to enabling robots to assume part of the standardized process, rather than immediately replacing the field staff.

Automation with job concerns

With the warming of the AI data centre construction, staff are concerned that automation may reduce the need for senior technicians and shift part of the remaining work to lower paid positions, which perform tasks in accordance with AI-generated directives.

However, the reasons given by the party supporting automation are not the same. It is generally emphasized that data centres, factories and construction sites face a shortage of labour and that robots are better suited to duplicate or high-risk jobs. CEO Hwang In-hoon of In-hoon, Inc., Young Weida, also referred to the data centre as an “AI factory” and envisaged that the data centre would be operated jointly by personnel, software agents and robots in the future.

In addition to Meta, robots are entering the testing phase in more industries. Bedrock Robotics has deployed automated construction equipment, and Mercedes-Benz has tested man-made robots for reuse in factories.

The robot tax discussion is rising again.

At a time when such automation trends are advancing, the co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, proposed this week that a tax should be levied on robotics and AI tokens. In his view, the current tax system might make machines cheaper than employees, thereby accelerating job substitution.

As it stands, Meta ' s data centre robots are still in the early stages of testing and are not yet able to carry out their critical tasks independently and manually. But as companies continue to expand AI infrastructure, whether automation creates more jobs or reduces existing ones is becoming a focus of outside attention.