Marc Francis spent the last few years struggling with a faulty route planner while working as a delivery driver for Parcelforce. He was consistently given difficult and impractical routes that made it impossible for him to deliver within the assigned time window. Any mistakes made by the automated system resulted in deductions from his pay as an independent contractor.
Francis is now involved in a legal case against Parcelforce, challenging the classification of drivers as self-employed. He described the use of automation as leading to the worst exploitation he’s ever experienced.
Many low-paid workers face similar challenges due to the impact of algorithmic management, automation, and AI in the workplace. These technologies often lead to unattainable targets, data harvesting without consent, and increased worker vulnerability.
Reports from organizations like the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence have highlighted the negative effects of AI and automation on the workforce. Workers are often subjected to unrealistic demands, lack of agency, and increased surveillance in the workplace.
The use of automated decision-making tools can strip workers of their ability to challenge decisions or rectify errors. While some regulations and policies may help mitigate these impacts, there is a lack of oversight from both government and trade unions on how these technologies are used in workplaces.
The future of low-paid labor may involve workers being utilized for basic tasks like maintaining and training AI computational models. This trend could further flatten human labor and turn workers into robots rather than replacing them with robots.
Overall, the impact of AI and automation on the workforce goes beyond simply replacing human labor. It involves changing the nature of work and reducing uncertainties for employers, often at the expense of worker well-being and autonomy. Amazon and other companies have defended their use of technology in the workplace, claiming that it enhances efficiency and safety, but concerns remain about the exploitation of workers and the lack of accountability in these systems.