Realized my grocery store job is training the AI that will replace me

I work at a big chain store in Chicago stacking shelves and scanning items. Last week I noticed this new camera system tracking every move I make, how fast I stock cans versus boxes, even which aisle I pause in. I asked my manager about it and he said it's feeding data to an AI that predicts shelf restocking schedules. So basically I'm doing free training for the robot that's gonna do my job next year. They already cut one overnight shift and replaced it with a machine that unloads pallets. Now I'm wondering if I should just quit now or ride it out until they fire me. Has anyone else seen these cameras in their stores and realized what they're really for?

3 comments

3 Comments

charles_young924d ago

Great, I'm helping train the competition to do my job for free. Guess I should start walking slower and dropping more cans.

hugos464d ago

Feel for you @charles_young92. It's a rough spot to be in. Doing extra work just so someone can replace you later.

evan_cooper734d ago

My buddy Dave started slowing down on purpose after he realized his boss was literally recording his screen and training the new hire with his workflow. He'd take bathroom breaks that lasted 15 minutes, stretch out what used to be a quick five-minute task, and drop a pen or two to break the rhythm. The new guy still got trained, just on a slower, more frustrating version of the job. Dave got the last laugh though, his boss finally asked why the new hire was "so slow" and Dave just shrugged.