The Invisible Cost of Digitalisation: Collective Anxiety about Possible AI-Driven Workplace

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly enhance productivity in various industries. In today's fast-paced digital world, the value of individuals who are not only prepared but eager to acquire new skills and adapt to AI-driven changes is more crucial than ever. However, there are concerns about the potential deskilling of workers and the impact on job security as AI continues to replace established roles. As AI continues to automate tasks once carried out by humans, especially in technology-driven industries, a widespread fear of job displacement has emerged. This contestation between embracing and fearing AI leads us to ask the dynamics between the deliberations about the promise of AI-driven efficiency, workers’ job insecurity and collective anxiety.

This research delves into the profound impact of digitalization and AI on work environments, with a particular focus on the growing collective concern among employees about AI's potential to cause job layoffs, which has resulted in growing anxiety across the workforce. Employees most often fear losing their livelihoods and experience daily anxiety about the AI-based automation of their jobs. The study seeks to uncover how these fears affect employee morale, workplace cohesion, and overall organizational culture, providing insights into the sociological and psychological consequences of AI-driven digital transformation. Additionally, the research focuses on exploring the multifaceted impact of AI on both organizational culture transformation and professional activities in the workplace. This study tries to analyse how digitalisation, driven by AI technologies, is not only reshaping workplace dynamics but also influencing key aspects such as productivity, efficiency, and the evolving skill requirements for professionals across various sectors. The aim is to contribute to the growing intersection between digital sociology and work sociology literatures by conducting and analysing semi-structured interviews with employees from different levels in business hierarchy.