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The Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) For Meaningful Work

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  • Sarah Bankins

    (Macquarie University)

  • Paul Formosa

    (Macquarie University)

Abstract

The increasing workplace use of artificially intelligent (AI) technologies has implications for the experience of meaningful human work. Meaningful work refers to the perception that one’s work has worth, significance, or a higher purpose. The development and organisational deployment of AI is accelerating, but the ways in which this will support or diminish opportunities for meaningful work and the ethical implications of these changes remain under-explored. This conceptual paper is positioned at the intersection of the meaningful work and ethical AI literatures and offers a detailed assessment of the ways in which the deployment of AI can enhance or diminish employees’ experiences of meaningful work. We first outline the nature of meaningful work and draw on philosophical and business ethics accounts to establish its ethical importance. We then explore the impacts of three paths of AI deployment (replacing some tasks, ‘tending the machine’, and amplifying human skills) across five dimensions constituting a holistic account of meaningful work, and finally assess the ethical implications. In doing so we help to contextualise the meaningful work literature for the era of AI, extend the ethical AI literature into the workplace, and conclude with a range of practical implications and future research directions.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah Bankins & Paul Formosa, 2023. "The Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) For Meaningful Work," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 185(4), pages 725-740, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:185:y:2023:i:4:d:10.1007_s10551-023-05339-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-023-05339-7
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    Cited by:

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    2. Olimpia Ban & Irina Maiorescu & Mihaela Bucur & Gabriel Cristian Sabou & Betty Cohen Tzedec, 2024. "AI between Threat and Benefactor for the Competences of the Human Working Force," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 26(67), pages 762-762, August.
    3. Martin Obschonka & Moren Levesque, 2024. "A Market for Lemons? Strategic Directions for a Vigilant Application of Artificial Intelligence in Entrepreneurship Research," Papers 2409.08890, arXiv.org.
    4. Marian Kopczewski & Jolanta Wojtowicz-Zygadlo & Slawomir Żurawski & Sylwester Pietrzyk, 2024. "Utilization of Artificial Intelligence in Security Management within an Organization," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(3), pages 962-973.

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