Nike is cutting 775 workers at distribution centers in Tennessee and Mississippi as part of an automation push. Unlike the corporate layoffs at many tech companies, these are warehouse and logistics workers being replaced by automated systems.
Nike's cuts highlight that AI and automation impacts are not limited to white-collar knowledge workers. Manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution roles are being automated at an accelerating pace. The 775 workers affected are in regions with limited alternative employment options, making the community impact disproportionate to the headcount number.