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Novara Media

Novara FM: Our New Cyberboss Overlords w/ Craig Gent

Sep 27, 2024
Craig Gent, North of England editor for Novara Media and author of a book on algorithmic management, dives into the realm of algorithmic oversight in the workplace. He discusses how tech giants like Amazon and gig economy platforms exploit workers through constant surveillance. Gent highlights the innovative resistance workers are forming, such as Deliveroo riders using WhatsApp to strike. He also critiques the adaptability of trade unions and the growing disconnect with today's labor needs amidst evolving technological challenges.
01:17:25

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The shift to algorithmic management, particularly in gig economy firms, has resulted in intensified worker monitoring and exploitation despite illusions of autonomy.
  • Workers subjected to algorithmic oversight have developed informal forms of resistance, such as slowdowns and secret codes to regain agency against productivity pressures.

Deep dives

The Rise of Algorithmic Management

The emergence of algorithmic management has become a dominant feature of many workplaces, impacting how companies structure labor and control employees. Algorithms track worker performance through various devices, effectively replacing traditional management with digital oversight. This shift has been particularly evident in gig economy companies like Uber and Amazon, where workers face severe monitoring and stringent quotas. As a result, the transparency of workplace operations has diminished, leading to a lack of understanding about how these systems function among both employees and employers.

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