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The Innovation Show

Technological Taylorism: How Modern AI is Reshaping the Future of Work

Nov 13, 2024
Explore how AI and automation are reshaping the workforce through the lens of Technological Taylorism. Learn about the rise of workplace surveillance and the transformation of jobs into fragmented tasks. The discussion highlights the increasing vulnerability of freelance and middle management roles, while questioning the ethical implications of AI development. Experts dive into the paradox of job creation amidst automation and the potential for a technological singularity, leaving us to ponder the future of labor in a data-driven world.
10:58

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Quick takeaways

  • Modern AI and workplace surveillance are reshaping the workforce, emphasizing employee efficiency at the cost of autonomy and job security.
  • The rise of Technological Taylorism reflects a troubling trend where automation fails to create new jobs, challenging traditional economic growth models.

Deep dives

The Legacy of Technological Taylorism

The concept of Technological Taylorism illustrates how modern management practices echo the principles of Frederick Taylor's scientific management, which aimed at maximizing efficiency through strict job breakdowns. Taylor’s methods, which began in the late 19th century, transformed skilled artisans into interchangeable cogs within a mechanized system. Today, the introduction of AI-driven tools continues this trend, leading to the labeling of employees as data generators, significantly impacting their autonomy and job security. This relentless pursuit of efficiency has deepened surveillance in the workplace, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many companies doubled their adoption of monitoring technologies.

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