For centuries, our work has shaped who we are, giving us identity, purpose, and status. But what happens when our primary source of income starts to vanish, not due to economic downturns or outsourcing, but because of artificial intelligence? In an AI-driven economy, how does work transform? In July, I spoke to various experts across the labor industry, revealing a complex, sometimes contradictory landscape—filled with both promise and peril, efficiency and exploitation, displacement and dignity.
Talking to leaders in the corporate world offers valuable insight into AI’s transformation. Elijah Clark, a consultant on AI integration, speaks candidly about the urgency many CEOs feel. “AI presents tremendous opportunities,” he shared. “As a CEO, I can tell you that efficiency is key. I’ve laid off employees to harness these advancements. AI doesn’t strike or demand raises.”
1. Business Efficiency vs. Human Employment
This clear-cut pursuit of efficiency often frames human labor as an obstacle rather than an asset. For instance, Clark recounts firing 27 out of 30 student workers from his sales team because AI enabled tasks to be completed in a fraction of the time, emphasizing a grim shift in corporate priorities.
Peter Miscovich, Global Future of Work Leader at JLL, notes a long-term trend, stating, “AI accelerates the decoupling of headcount from revenue.” To illustrate, he points out that 20% of Fortune 500 companies in 2025 will have fewer employees than in 2015. While Miscovich envisions transformed workplaces designed to attract talent, he also acknowledges a looming concern: companies may reduce their workforce by as much as 40% to maximize efficiency.
2. The Human Cost: Are We in a New Era of Forced Labor?
As business leaders focus on profit, a different story emerges from the front lines. Adrienne Williams, a former delivery driver and warehouse worker, describes a troubling reality: “It’s a new era of forced labor.” While not slavery, she argues that the invisible work of training AI systems—a task we perform daily through our digital interactions—has rendered many workers powerless.
Gig workers like Krystal Kauffman, who has been involved with Amazon’s Mechanical Turk, reveal how working conditions have deteriorated. “Human labor drives the AI boom,” she points out, emphasizing that despite increasing reliance on technology, basic human labor remains essential for tasks like data labeling. The psychological toll is also severe, as Kauffman highlights, particularly in content moderation cases that expose workers to traumatic experiences.
3. Addressing Workplace Dangers
In discussing labor conditions, Williams notes how AI tools in education create unhealthy environments for children, leading to various ailments. In warehouses, she says, the situation is no better; pregnant workers face termination for requiring adjustments due to their conditions, generating distressing cases of personal loss.
4. Preserving Dignity in the Face of Automation
Despite these challenges, advocates like Ai-jen Poo, president of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, argue for the value of “care work.” She explains that nurturing roles—caring for children and the elderly—are irreplaceable. “We need technology that enhances workers’ quality of life instead of displacing them,” she urges, calling for a re-evaluation of economic priorities. Poo advocates for comprehensive safety nets that ensure basic human needs are met, improving wages and job security in caregiving sectors.
5. Inequality vs. Democratic Technology
The discussions reveal a clear dichotomy regarding the future of work. On one fork, unchecked technological advancement could deepen societal inequalities, especially for marginalized communities, as emphasized by Williams. Alternatively, we could pave the way to a future where technology serves human needs. Poo believes in the potential for democratizing AI, empowering voices from working-class backgrounds.
Kauffman shares optimism in the growing resistance among gig workers. “We may be at the bottom, but we’re starting to push back, asserting our existence and rights,” she notes, highlighting a shift toward organization and collective action.
What does all this mean for the purpose of work in an AI-centric economy? Ultimately, it raises fundamental questions about our values. Should our economy focus solely on creating wealth for a few, or cultivate a society that enables everyone to lead dignified lives?
Is AI set to replace human labor entirely? While some executives are fixated on efficiency, it’s crucial to assess whether this approach compromises our humanity. “Business is about growth, maintaining efficiency, and driving profit,” remarks Clark. In contrast, Poo believes that work should foster pride in individual contributions, ensuring people feel recognized and empowered.
This raises pressing concerns—not just about whether machines will replicate our tasks but whether they will redefine what it means to be human. Signs of distress abound as businesses deploy systems not to enable workers but to phase them out. In this chaotic rush toward automation, we risk forgetting the core value of human connection that labor can inspire.
How can we reclaim agency in an AI-driven world? It’s possible with the right legislative support, robust safety nets for displaced workers, and renewed respect for forms of labor that machines cannot replicate, specific to caregiving and community care.
The time for action is now. As Clark bluntly states, “I’m tasked with figuring out how to use AI to cut jobs. The urgency is real.” The pivotal question before us is whether we will let AI alter our essence as human beings.
Explore more about the intersections of technology and work at Moyens I/O.