Markus Furendal and Karim Jebari present a nuanced exploration of the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on the future of work, straddling the philosophical, political, and economic realms. The authors distinguish between two paradigms of AI’s impact on work – ‘human-augmenting’ and ‘human-stunting’. Augmentation refers to scenarios where AI and humans collaboratively work, enhancing the latter’s capabilities and providing more fulfilling work. Stunting, on the other hand, implies a diminishment of human capabilities as AI takes over, reducing humans to mere overseers or executors of pre-programmed tasks. Utilizing Amazon fulfillment centers as a case study, the authors elucidate how the application of AI could potentially lead to stunting, thereby negating the potential goods of work.
The authors address four objections to their perspective. The objections challenge their interpretation of ‘goods of work’, the feasibility of political intervention, and question their assessment of the human augmentation-stunting dichotomy, and the potential paternalistic implications thereof. The paper refrains from advocating for particular policy interventions, but stresses the moral obligation to address human stunting as an issue of concern. The authors point out that workers might be forced to accept stunting roles due to higher pay or collective action problems, and that state intervention could potentially rectify such situations. Furthermore, they also acknowledge the possibility of exploring alternative, non-labor paths to human flourishing, but emphasize their focus on immediate and medium-term impacts rather than long-term societal transformations.
The conclusion of the paper underscores the critical need for an augmenting-stunting distinction in future work debates. The authors acknowledge the potential for AI to augment human capabilities, but caution that the rise of AI technologies could also lead to widespread human stunting, affecting the quality of work and its associated moral goods. They argue that while AI could theoretically enable more stimulating work experiences, it could also degrade human capabilities, detrimentally impacting large swaths of the workforce. As such, the paper calls for additional empirical research to better understand the real-world implications of human-AI collaboration in the workplace.
In the broader philosophical context, this paper instigates a profound discourse on the ethical dimensions of AI and the concept of ‘human flourishing’. By invoking notions of ‘goods of work’, it brings the discourse on AI and work into the arena of moral philosophy, questioning the essence of work and its role in the human condition. The researchers’ debate on the ‘augmentation-stunting’ dichotomy in human-AI interaction is reminiscent of classical deliberations on the dual nature of technology – as both an enabler and a potential detriment to human existence. Furthermore, their contemplation of the role of the state in regulating AI adoption underscores the inherent tension between technological progress and societal welfare, a theme that has persisted throughout technological history.
Future research on this topic could potentially delve deeper into the effects of AI technologies on different labor markets, depending on workers’ skill levels, institutional frameworks, and reskilling policies. More case studies from diverse sectors could enhance understanding of the augmentation-stunting paradigm in practical settings. Furthermore, the idea of ‘human flourishing’ outside of work, in the context of AI’s transformative potential, presents a fascinating area for exploration. The role of political institutions in shaping this future of work would also be an interesting research avenue, bridging the gap between philosophy, political science, and technology studies. The authors’ call for empirical research in workplaces further suggests the potential for cross-disciplinary studies that combine philosophical inquiry with sociological and anthropological methodologies.
Abstract
The last decade has seen significant improvements in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including robotics, machine vision, speech recognition, and text generation. Increasing automation will undoubtedly affect the future of work, and discussions on how the development of AI in the workplace will impact labor markets often include two scenarios: (1) labor replacement and (2) labor enabling. The former involves replacing workers with machines, while the latter assumes that human–machine cooperation can significantly improve worker productivity. In this context, it is often argued that (1) could lead to mass unemployment and that (2) therefore would be more desirable. We argue, however, that the labor-enabling scenario conflates two distinct possibilities. On the one hand, technology can increase productivity while also promoting “the goods of work,” such as the opportunity to pursue excellence, experience a sense of community, and contribute to society (human augmentation). On the other hand, higher productivity can also be achieved in a way that reduces opportunities for the “goods of work” and/or increases “the bads of work,” such as injury, reduced physical and mental health, reduction of autonomy, privacy, and human dignity (human stunting). We outline the differences of these outcomes and discuss the implications for the labor market in the context of contemporaneous discussions on the value of work and human wellbeing.
The Future of Work: Augmentation or Stunting?