Augmented Exploitation: Artificial Intelligence, Automation and Work

Edited by Pheobe V. Moore and Jamie Woodcock Pluto Press 03/20/2022, paperback SKU: 9780745343495   Artificial Intelligence is a seemingly neutral technology, but it is increasingly used to manage workforces and make decisions to hire and fire employees. Its proliferation in the workplace gives the impression of a fairer, more efficient system of management. A machine can't discriminate, after all. Augmented Exploitation explores the reality of the impact of AI on workers' lives. While the consensus is that AI is a completely new way of managing a workplace, the authors show that, on the contrary, AI is used as most technologies are used under capitalism: as a smokescreen that hides the deep exploitation of workers. Going beyond platform work and the gig economy, the authors explore emerging forms of algorithmic governance and AI-augmented apps that have been developed to utilize innovative ways to collect data about workers and consumers, as well as to keep wages and worker representa