Structural inequalities shape AI's labor impact: who benefits from automation narratives?
Original framing: “Who decides which jobs AI will take?” — Financial Times
Low-wage workers, gig economy laborers, and informal sector workers are disproportionately affected by AI automation but are rarely consulted in policy discussions. Their lived experiences reveal the human cost of automation and the need for inclusive decision-making processes.
AI's labor impact is not a neutral technological shift but a continuation of historical patterns of capital accumulation and labor exploitation.
By integrating Indigenous knowledge, cross-cultural insights, and marginalized voices, we can develop AI governance that prioritizes human dignity and ecological balance. Historical parallels and scientific critiques reveal the limitations of current models, while artistic and spiritual perspectives offer alternative visions. A systemic approach must include policy innovations like universal basic services and worker-centered governance to ensure that AI serves the common good rather than entrenched power structures.