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Emerging Technologies at Work: Policy Ideas to Address Negative Consequences for Work, Workers, and Society

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  • Diane E. Bailey

Abstract

Emerging technologies such as sensors, drones, robots, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality increasingly operate as interlinked components in large technological suites that carry out novel functions. In this article, the author outlines potential negative consequences for work, workers, and society that use of these emerging technologies pose and offers policy ideas for a proactive, strategic response. Resonating across these policy ideas is a call for government to hold corporations accountable. In addition, workers and others who tend to our social fabric, built environment, and governing institutions must participate in the process of technology development, selection, design, implementation, and use. Given the potential for the use of emerging technologies to transform work and society radically and quickly, it falls upon all of us, not just a powerful few, to make choices that support positive outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Diane E. Bailey, 2022. "Emerging Technologies at Work: Policy Ideas to Address Negative Consequences for Work, Workers, and Society," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 75(3), pages 527-551, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ilrrev:v:75:y:2022:i:3:p:527-551
    DOI: 10.1177/00197939221076747
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Jenna E. Myers, 2024. "Triadic Technology Configuration: A Relational Perspective on Technologists’ Role in Shaping Cloud-Based Technologies," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 77(3), pages 307-335, May.
    3. Bryson, Alex & Kauhanen, Antti & Rouvinen, Petri, 2026. "AI and Worker Well-Being: Evidence from a Nationally Representative Study," IZA Discussion Papers 18540, IZA Network @ LISER.
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    6. Frederiksen, Marianne Harbo & Wolf, Patricia & Klotz, Ute, 2024. "Citizen visions of drone uses and impacts in 2057: Far-future insights for policy decision-makers," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    7. Ben Halima, Mohamed Ali & Greenan, Nathalie & Lanfranchi, Joseph, 2023. "Getting sick for profit? The impact of cumulative ICT and management changes on long term sickness absence," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 659-688.
    8. Gulmira Andabayeva & Vasily Movchun & Mayya Dubovik & Gaziza Kurpebayeva & Xinyu Cai, 2024. "Labor market dynamics in developing countries: analysis of employment transformation at the macro-level," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, December.
    9. Virginia Doellgast & Ines Wagner & Sean O’Brady, 2023. "Negotiating limits on algorithmic management in digitalised services: cases from Germany and Norway," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 29(1), pages 105-120, February.
    10. Pfeiffer, Sabine & Nicklich, Manuel & Henke, Michael & Heßler, Martina & Krzywdzinski, Martin & Schu (ed.), 2024. "Digitalisierung der Arbeitswelten: Zur Erfassbarkeit einer systemischen Transformation," EconStor Books, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, number 312546, May.
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    13. Ylenia Curci & Nathalie Greenan & Silvia Napolitano, 2024. "Innovating for the good or for the bad. An EU-wide analysis of the impact of technological transformation on job polarisation and unemployment," TEPP Working Paper 2024-02, TEPP.

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