A new Centre for Future Work report, Cogs in the Machine, shows that using AI to manage people has serious negative consequences for workers.

AI tools are being used to augment and replace work done by human managers, including hiring and firing, directing and controlling workers, and measuring and evaluating their performance at work. Algorithmic management involves automating managers’ decision making, intensive surveillance of workers, and the collection and use of vast amounts of workers’ personal data.

This report draws together international and Australian evidence to show how algorithmic management practices are undermining fairness and accountability, intensifying work and intruding into workers’ private lives. Increased mental and physical health risks due to work intensity and surveillance, undermining of privacy and dignity and reduced opportunity for collaboration and participation in the workplace are among the negative impacts.

The report calls for an immediate regulatory response to limit damaging algorithmic management practices, increase transparency and ensure workers are involved in planning, implementation and impact assessment.

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Research page: Cogs in the machine: algorithmic management, surveillance and big data at work

Download: Cogs in the machine: algorithmic management, surveillance and big data at work [PDF 599KB]