Artificial intelligence and the Future of Work and Organizations

Abstract

The purpose of this half-day pre-conference workshop is to provide an avenue for discussion of research in progress that investigates the role artificial intelligence (AI) may play in the future of work. Submissions may include empirical, critical, or conceptual work. The workshop will also provide feedback on potential submissions to a planned special issue of the Journal of the Association of Information Science and Technology (JASIST). Submitting to and participating in the workshop is not mandatory for submission to the special issue but is highly encouraged by the organizers who will serve as the guest editors of the special issue.

Introduction

We are soliciting papers on the role of AI in the context of work for a pre-conference ASIST workshop. Specifically, we are looking for extended abstracts and papers that advance our nascent understanding of the implications of AI in this context. The use of AI systems-- digital technologies that feature data-driven models providing customization, machine learning, and autonomous action-- is rapidly growing and will continue to impact multiple domains (Duan, Edwards, and Dwivedi 2019). The emerging breakthroughs in AI hold great promise in transforming how work is organized and carried out (Brynjolfsson and McAfee 2014). However, we currently lack in-depth, grounded understandings and research about the sociotechnical implications of these smart technologies beyond the hyperbolic fascination, hype, and fear around the replacement of workers in various work settings (Jarrahi 2019). We seek submissions that extend our understanding of the changing relationships among workers, work practices, and AI systems. We expect an engaging discussion, with expert feedback on papers and lively interactions with the audience.

Our aim in this workshop is to bring together an interdisciplinary group of researchers, with a shared interest in the relationship between work and intelligent machines. Addressing the challenges of work and AI requires integrating perspectives and disciplinary expertise related to labor, motivation, cognition, machine learning, data science, human-computer interaction, sociotechnical systems, informatics, and information science among others in coherent ways.

The topics of this workshop and associated special issue include, but are not limited to, empirical research and/or theory development in the areas of:

1. The transformation of work practices and service provision in a number of domains.

   1. Human-robot interactions in the work settings

   2. AI and augmenting workers intelligence

   3. AI and implications for Information practices

2. The multiple scales at which such transformations take place-- including individual-, team/group-, organization-, and profession/occupation-level transformation:

   1. Algorithmic management and decision making

   2. Intelligent machines and interpersonal relationships at work

   3. AI and mass surveillance in organizations

3. The ethical implications of technology-enabled transformations such as job loss, the changing demands of professional readiness in the age of intelligent machines and their implications for educational curricula:

   1. AI, automation, new jobs and education

   2. Digital labour, inequality and power

Call for papers

The workshop will be held online 11 Dec, 2020. Details for the Zoom meeting will be provided to the participating authors.

Please submit an extended abstract of up to 750 to 1500 words by 20 Nov 2020 with author names, affiliations, and contact information with ‘AI and Work Workshop’ in the subject line to jarrahi@unc.edu and costerlu@syr.edu. Please note that accepted extended abstracts will be shared with other workshop participants.

Acceptance announcements will be made by 01 Dec 2020.