The Dark Side of Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace: Social Costs, Ethical Challenges, and the Role of Human Resource Management

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming a major factor in business management. It is changing essential areas like human resource management (HRM), decision-making, and the improvement of organizational processes While these innovations are often seen as ways to boost efficiency, performance, and competitiveness, their social and human impacts have not been thoroughly examined, especially in the MENA region. This paper is meant to help illuminate the “dark side” of AI in the workplace by examining the social and organizational costs that AI might entail. Rather than a traditional research design that relies on a systematic approach, the paper will take a conceptual and more analytical approach in order to examine the psycho-social and organizational impacts associated with the rising levels of AI algorithm systems. This highlights the prominence of human resource management as a mediator, regulator, with the potential to counterbalance the adverse impact of AI, especially when considering the developing regulatory structures found commonly in institutions. Finally, the paper proposes concrete strategies to promote a more responsible and human-centered adoption of AI, adapted to the specific characteristics of the MENA region.