AI Downsizing: Exploitation in Digital Feudalism

• In Event: 50858 - Contributions to Marxist Sociology

Abstract

Today, we’re experiencing an upheaval for labor unseen for high-skill white collar jobs under capitalism. So-called Artificial Intelligence (AI). I say so-called AI because it is a marketing term that obfuscates the actual technology. Since the goal of these technologies is to replace high-skilled labor with low-skilled labor, I prefer the term Algorithmic Exploitation (AE). Exploitation is the amount of unpaid value workers create without compensation. This is the point of AI: to reduce the level of skill needed to do a job. AE emphasizes the fact that these programs run algorithms. People make algorithms for specific purposes. How does AI increase exploitation? In this presentation, I will explain the concept of digital feudalism. Then I will discuss the “Stargate” plan to develop large computer factories to deploy AE and “create jobs.” Finally, I will look at the way digital feudalism emphasizes preparing a workforce to work with AE and be more easily exploitable.

Author

• David Michael Arditi, University of Texas-Arlington