We Are Not Machines by Sarah O’Connor review – can dignity at work survive the tech revolution?

Editor's take

A Financial Times journalist argues that the increasing integration of AI and automation into the workplace threatens to erode human dignity and the intrinsic value of labor. This perspective surfaces as many industries grapple with shifting employment landscapes, exacerbated by AI's growing capabilities in tasks previously considered uniquely human.

The core concern lies in the potential for AI to de-skill jobs, reduce worker autonomy, and commodify human effort, making it harder for individuals to derive meaning and self-worth from their work. This is particularly relevant as companies like Amazon already leverage AI for performance management, raising questions about how future AI deployments will impact worker well-being and the very definition of a "good job."

Future developments to monitor include the ethical frameworks and regulatory responses that emerge to govern AI's role in employment. The extent to which AI systems are designed to augment rather than simply replace human workers, and the success of initiatives aimed at preserving worker dignity, will be critical indicators. A shift towards AI that empowers workers, rather than merely optimizing for efficiency, would significantly alter this narrative.