The impact of automation and artificial intelligence on worker well-being

• Published in: Technology in society 2021-11, Vol.67, p.101679, Article 101679
• Main Authors: Nazareno, Luísa, Schiff, Daniel S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Artificial intelligence; Automation; Cognitive load; Complementarity; Fourth Industrial Revolution; Intelligence; Job insecurity; Job satisfaction; Occupational stress; Occupations; Policy making; Productivity; Risk; Security; Technology adoption; Well being; Worker well-being; Workers
• ISSN: 0160-791X; 1879-3274
• DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2021.101679

Discourse surrounding the future of work often treats technological substitution of workers as a cause for concern, but complementarity as a good. However, while automation and artificial intelligence may improve productivity or wages for those who remain employed, they may also have mixed or negative impacts on worker well-being. This study considers five hypothetical channels through which automation may impact worker well-being: influencing worker freedom, sense of meaning, cognitive load, external monitoring, and insecurity. We apply a measure of automation risk to a set of 402 occupations to assess whether automation predicts impacts on worker well-being along the dimensions of job satisfaction, stress, health, and insecurity. Findings based on a 2002–2018 dataset from the General Social Survey reveal that workers facing automation risk appear to experience less stress, but also worse health, and minimal or negative impacts on job satisfaction. These impacts are more concentrated on workers facing the highest levels of automation risk. This article encourages new research directions by revealing important heterogeneous effects of technological complementarity. We recommend that firms, policymakers, and researchers not conceive of technological complementarity as a uniform good, and instead direct more attention to mixed well-being impacts of automation and artificial intelligence on workers. •Automation and artificial intelligence can impact the well-being of employed workers.•Workers at higher risk of automation experience lower levels of stress, health, and satisfaction.•However, the impact of automation on stress is trending upward compared to 2002 levels.•Results may signify loss of meaning and intensified surveillance at work.•Decision-makers can shape technological adoption to safeguard worker well-being.