How AI and automation have created a concerning ‘make work’ pattern

“Automation and AI will definitely cause widespread job losses and the potential for greater inequality. The challenge for our generation is ensuring that these changes will enhance, not diminish, our humanity” — Stephen Hawking.

If I had a dollar for every time a colleague or friend uttered the phrase “make work,” I’d be considerably wealthier. Granted, that’s a slight exaggeration. However, as I blog about topics that resonate with my peers, we’ve reached a pivotal moment. It’s time to confront the proverbial elephant in the room: Are we merely engaging in “make work” as we inch closer to being overtaken by automation?

This question first struck me back in 2018, prompting a significant career shift. In search of a more fulfilling purpose, I left behind my previous role — moving from user research to a Digital Transformation Coach and now Design Strategist and co-founder of Human Tech Futures, a direct response to the challenges I see. That year, I shared my journey through blogging for the first time, candidly expressing my concerns about transitioning from user research to witnessing my design team transform into what felt like an assembly line of UI component creators. Simultaneously, we were paradoxically engineering our own obsolescence. Join me as I into this journey, exploring the fine line between meaningful work and the automated future that looms ahead.

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation has undeniably revolutionised the workplace, enhancing operations and increasing efficiency across various sectors. However, this technological advancement has also led to a less discussed but significant issue: the emergence of ‘make work’ patterns. Here, ‘make work’ refers to tasks or jobs that are created or extended not out of necessity, but as a reaction to AI and automation encroaching upon traditional employment roles.

Case studies and real-world examples

The phenomenon of technology impacting jobs can be illustrated through various case studies. In the retail sector, for instance, despite the widespread adoption…