AI displaces technical roles: How relational labor gains systemic value in precarious labor markets

Indigenous labor systems often reject the artificial separation between technical and relational work, framing both as integral to communal well-being. For instance, the Māori concept of *manaakitanga* emphasizes hospitality and care as essential to economic and social structures, challenging the Western commodification of 'glue work'. These systems highlight how relational labor is not a byproduct of precarity but a deliberate cultural practice designed to sustain collective resilience. The erasure of such frameworks in mainstream discourse reflects a broader colonial legacy that devalues non-Western epistemologies.

Historically, 'glue work' has been feminized and racialized, from the unpaid domestic labor of women to the emotional labor of Black and immigrant workers in service industries. The concept echoes Marx’s 'social reproduction' theory, where unpaid labor sustains capitalist production, yet is systematically undervalued. The rise of the gig economy and AI-driven automation has intensified this dynamic, externalizing relational labor as 'soft skills' that are both essential and exploitable. This historical continuity reveals 'glue work' as a symptom of capitalism’s need to extract value from human connection.

Cross-culturally, relational labor is often framed as a communal duty rather than an individual skill, as seen in the Japanese concept of *wa* (harmony) or the Scandinavian *lagom* (balance). In many Global South contexts, such labor is embedded in social safety nets, contrasting with the atomized, market-driven approaches of Western economies. These systems demonstrate that 'glue work' can be institutionalized as a public good rather than a private burden, challenging the narrative that it is a market-driven solution to AI displacement.

Scientific research in organizational psychology and labor economics confirms that relational labor—such as emotional intelligence and team cohesion—correlates with higher productivity and innovation in complex systems. Studies on social capital, such as those by Robert Putnam, show that societies with stronger relational networks outperform those with purely transactional labor markets. However, the commodification of these skills risks reducing them to exploitable traits, as highlighted by Arlie Hochschild’s work on emotional labor. The scientific literature also underscores the gendered and racialized dimensions of this labor, which are often overlooked in mainstream analyses.

Artistic and spiritual traditions often elevate relational labor as a sacred or creative act, from the communal singing of South African *gospel* to the collaborative weaving practices of Andean *textile artists*. In these contexts, labor is not just a means to an end but a form of cultural expression and spiritual fulfillment. The devaluation of such labor in capitalist systems reflects a broader spiritual crisis where human connection is reduced to a transactional commodity. Reclaiming this labor as an artistic or spiritual practice could challenge its commodification and restore its intrinsic value.

Future labor markets must decouple relational labor from precarity by institutionalizing it as a public good, such as through universal basic services or cooperative models. Scenario planning suggests that AI-driven automation will exacerbate the demand for relational labor, but without structural reforms, this will lead to further exploitation rather than liberation. Alternative models, such as the *Mondragon Corporation* in Spain, demonstrate how cooperative structures can balance technical and relational labor while ensuring equitable distribution of value. The future of work hinges on whether we treat relational labor as a commodity or a collective responsibility.

Marginalized communities, particularly women of color, immigrants, and gig economy workers, bear the brunt of 'glue work' as it is systematically undervalued and undercompensated. The original framing erases their lived experiences, reducing their labor to a market opportunity rather than a structural necessity. Grassroots movements, such as the *National Domestic Workers Alliance*, highlight how these workers are organizing to demand recognition and fair compensation for their labor. Centering their voices is essential to challenging the systemic devaluation of relational work.