Kathmandu— Despite widespread fears of job losses due to artificial intelligence (AI), recent economic trends suggest that the technology is creating more jobs than it destroys. However, critics argue that AI will be used by employers to de-skill work and suppress wages, necessitating a proactive approach from workers to ensure public control over its deployment.

Historical Context of Technological Fear

The fear of job losses due to technological advancements is not new. In the 1990s and early 2000s, similar fears were expressed about computers and robots. These predictions often coincided with economic recessions rather than technological changes themselves. The Economist’s recent cover story on an AI-induced jobs apocalypse echoes these past concerns.

Marxist Analysis of Technological Impact

Karl Marx's analysis in 'Capital' suggests that while new technologies might create jobs, they do not necessarily compensate for the labor displaced. Instead, technological progress is driven by the pursuit of surplus value and tends to de-skill workers and extend working hours. This perspective aligns with current concerns about AI's potential to homogenize work and reduce wages.

Braverman’s De-skilling Theory

Harry Braverman, in his book 'Labor and Monopoly Capital,' elaborated on the de-skilling effects of technology. He argued that postwar capitalism, characterized by large monopolies and Taylorist management techniques, led to a loss of worker autonomy and devaluation of wage labor. Today’s AI technologies continue this trend by fragmenting intellectual labor and reducing workers' control over their tasks.

AI as a Tool for De-skilling

The development of large language models (LLMs) is seen as a powerful tool for de-skilling work. These AI systems are designed to perform simple intellectual tasks, making labor more homogeneous and less autonomous. Critics argue that this could lead to the suppression of wages unless workers organize to demand public control over AI deployment.

Organizing Labor Against Capital

The article calls for a proactive approach from workers to treat AI as a new arena for class struggle. By organizing labor around AI and advocating for its use as a public utility, workers can ensure that the technology is harnessed to create jobs and enhance worker autonomy rather than de-skill work and suppress wages.

(With inputs from Jacobin)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.