The Future of Work. An Interdisciplinary Approach

Overview & Synopsis

The future of work has become a key analytical concept in contemporary debates about the transformation of labour, technology, and society. It refers to a broad set of processes that reshape the organisation of work and the conditions under which human beings participate in economic and social life. In particular, the concept draws attention to the evolving relationship between human capabilities and rapidly advancing technologies. As digital infrastructures, artificial intelligence, and automated systems continue to develop, workplaces increasingly adopt new forms of production, management, and communication. These transformations raise fundamental questions about the role, agency, and value of human labour in technologically mediated environments. The contributions collected in this volume approach these issues from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, including the social sciences, humanities, and technology studies. By employing diverse theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches, the authors seek to examine how digitisation and robotisation are redefining traditional understandings of work. In doing so, the volume explores the broader implications of these processes for human-centered workplaces, focusing on the ways in which technological change may reshape professional roles, required competencies, and the ethical foundations of future labour systems.