The AI factor & the new posture of “work”
From knowledge jobs to new indentureship: re-evaluating the value of skilled labour in the age of AI
“The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win.”— Karl Marx.
If you, like me, are part of the Millennial or Gen X generations, you’ve probably noticed that discussions about work and workplace culture are becoming increasingly common among our circles. Not long ago, the focus of such conversations was on blue-collar workers and roles typically seen as requiring lower skills, such as cashiers and customer service staff. The narrative then was clear: — Automation was a looming threat to their jobs. Fast forward to today, and I hear similar concerns from friends with advanced degrees who struggle, even to afford their own homes, on what was once a “good salary.” Might I add, a few handful include university professors. The refrain, all around, though, has evolved into “AI took my job.”
The prevalence of such sentiments is likely to grow as AI becomes more integrated into our workplaces. However, it’s important to recognize that AI itself is not taking our jobs. Rather, the underlying issue is that we, as a working population,” have not been adequately prepared for…
