How do algorithms and AI reshape workplaces and the world?

76% of workers within sectors like warehousing and telemarketing experience one or more forms of Algorithmic Management (AM) in the workplace. They report having less autonomy in their jobs, a greater workload, feeling more stressed, and greater concern among employees about their job security. 

These are the findings from the transnational survey Computer in command: Consequences of algorithmic management for workers conducted by FEPS and Nordic think tanks among over 6,000 union members in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. This study is the first of its kind to systematically examine the consequences of AM.

At this event in Helsinki, we presented the conclusions of the Finnish side of the survey authored by Jere Immonen. We also counted the distinguished presence of Uma Rani (ILO), Johannes Anttila (Demos Helsinki), Antti Rinne (SAMAK), and Miapetra Kumpula-Natri (MP) as discussants in this ever-relevant examination of the impact of Algorithmic Management on Finnish workplaces.

This event was live-streamed through the website of the venue. See link here.

Agenda – How do algorithms and AI reshape workplaces and the world?

08:30 – 9:00 Participant welcome

9:00 – 9:05 Opening remarks by Lauri Finér, director, Kalevi Sorsa Foundation 

9:05 – 9:25 Presentation: Algorithmic management practices in regular workplaces: Insights from different sectors, Uma Rani, Senior Economist, International Labor Organization (ILO) 

9:25-9:40 Presentation: Algorithmic management and workplace digitalisation in Finland, Johannes Anttila, Senior Expert, Demos Helsinki 

9:40-9:55 Response by Annikka Lemmens, Economist and policy analyst, Directorate for Employment, Labor and Social affairs, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

9:55-10:50 Panel discussion with: 

• Juha Antila, head of R&D, The Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) 

• Antti Hakala, director of finance sector and ICT and communications sector, Trade Union Pro 

• Miapetra Kumpula-Natri, Member of Parliament, SDP 

• Laura Seppänen, chief scientist, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health 

Moderator: Gerard Rinse Oosterwijk, policy analyst, FEPS 

10:50-11:00 Concluding remarks by Antti Rinne, general secretary, SAMAK, and Gerard Rinse Oosterwijk, policy analyst, FEPS 

For additional information about this event, please contact Luis Sáez Jiménez, FEPS Project Officer at luis.saez@feps-europe.eu.

Watch “How algorithms and AI reshape workplaces and the world”

This event was part of the Digital Research Programme

FEPS, Tankesmedjan Tiden, Kalevi Sorsa Saatio, Tankesmien Agenda, CEVEA, Arbejderbevægelsens Erhvervsråd (ECLM), Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Nordics and Cooperation Committee of the Nordic Labour Movement (SAMAK), with the support of Nordic trade Unions, came together for a Digital Research Programme to discuss the research questions, methods and approaches of the different research strands:

1. Algorithmic management and governance (prevalence & consequences)
2. Workers’ experience at the workplace – surveys and focus groups
3. Online platforms and employment terms