The implications of artificial intelligence on skilled labor. A thematic analysis of the social imaginary on Wired magazine
The implications of artificial intelligence on skilled labor. A thematic analysis of the social imaginary on Wired magazine

Summary/Abstract: Contemporary societies are changing due to dynamic technological processes that shape new professional trajectories. My research aims to identify the main themes found in the social imaginary of Wired magazine regarding the future of professions in the context of the implementation of artificial intelligence. The study is based on a thematic content analysis, selecting 35 specialized articles from Wired magazine from May 1, 2021 to May 1, 2022. The main selection criteria consisted of a focus on skilled jobs involving daily cognitive and emotional tasks. Thus, I have identified two bifurcated discourses of reality – one optimistic and one pessimistic - regarding the projected impact of artificial intelligence on the workforce. The optimistic discourse created around the automation of work prevails in these articles. The main topics pertaining to the optimistic discourse include saving time, openness to innovation and partial substitution of people. On the other hand, the pessimistic discourse expresses concerns and fears about the risks posed by the new technological implications, highlighting issues related to the perpetuation of discrimination and inequality, data confidentiality and misinformation of the population. Both realities, built around the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of work, have a common emphasis on the importance of human and social capacity to make decisions and influence the future. It is likely that the divergent realities created around the implications of artificial intelligence will take a stronger shape over time, as AI advances and permeates even more spheres of life.

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