By Austin Weber

June 24, 2026

DETROIT—The Automate Show in Chicago is putting the spotlight on industrial robots, artificial intelligence and other types of automation this week. However, 240 miles east, General Motors is facing a backlash for installing cobots at its Factory Zero complex, which recently laid off more than 1,000 workers.

That has raised the bristles of the UAW amid growing concerns over safety and job security. It’s a classic case of man vs. machine, which has played out for decades in manufacturing.

“Right now, we’re going through one of the most profound technological revolutions of our lifetimes with artificial intelligence, the threat of humanoid robotics and mass automation,” claims Shawn Fain, president of the UAW, who made the remarks during his recent state of the union speech in Detroit. “It’s a profound threat and a challenge to our way of life, to our economy and to our political system.”

GM has installed more than 50 state-of-the-art Fanuc collaborative robots at Factory Zero, which is dedicated to assembling electric vehicles. According to reports, the machines are being used to “attach various components to vehicles” on assembly lines.

Engineers at Factory Zero are also piloting WeldBrAIn, a proprietary technology that monitors weld quality in the body shop. The AI-powered system has expanded quality check capabilities from manual inspection of four parts per shift to checking every single weld, on every single body, in real time.

General Motors claims that smart tools like WeldBrAIn “help workers spot issues early, protect quality and make quick, confident calls, helping GM consistently deliver high-quality products to customers and bringing a culture of safety, ownership and continuous improvement to life on every shift.”

GM is not alone in applying technology to improve efficiency and productivity in its assembly plants. Automakers around the world are accelerating their investment in robotics and automation today, as they seek to remain competitive, control costs, address ergonomics and tackle labor shortages. Many companies are also investigating and investing in humanoid robots.