The Impact of AI on Worker Power and Labor Dynamics

As of 2026, the workplace is undergoing significant transformation due to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). This shift has led to widespread anxiety among workers, who fear job displacement and dehumanization as AI technologies advance. A 2025 Pew survey indicated that 64% of the public believes AI will result in fewer jobs over the next two decades, while only 17% anticipate a positive impact from AI on the U.S. economy. The optimism expressed by tech CEOs about AI's potential to create new jobs contrasts sharply with the concerns of the workforce, particularly among lower-wage and white-collar workers who fear their roles may become more akin to those of blue-collar laborers.

The Guardian

Despite the prevailing fears, the anxiety surrounding AI is also fostering a renewed sense of solidarity among workers. Sarita Gupta, Vice President of US Programs at the Ford Foundation, notes that the realization among workers—across various sectors—that they are subject to similar performance tracking and pressures is dissolving traditional class divisions. This shared experience is catalyzing movements for worker dignity and empowerment, reminiscent of the labor organizing seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Great Resignation and subsequent unionization efforts at companies like Amazon and Starbucks illustrate a growing push for better working conditions and pay.

The Guardian

The current labor landscape is marked by a long-term decline in union membership and collective bargaining power. In 2025, only 9.9% of U.S. workers were union members, reflecting a historic low. This decline has occurred alongside rising productivity, which has not translated into wage growth for workers. Gupta emphasizes that the lack of supportive laws and enforcement has contributed to this imbalance, leaving workers vulnerable to exploitation.

The Guardian

The advent of AI presents both challenges and opportunities for the labor movement. While AI has the potential to exacerbate existing inequalities, it also offers a chance to address long-standing issues in worker treatment and compensation. Kresge highlights the importance of critically assessing the narratives propagated by tech leaders, who may downplay the risks associated with AI to maintain control over the workforce. The future of work in the age of AI is not predetermined; it is shaped by choices made by society regarding how technology is developed and implemented.

The Guardian

Experts like Gupta and Kresge advocate for a future where technology is governed by the needs of workers rather than corporate interests. Gupta asserts, “We can use AI to build a surveillance economy that squeezes every drop of value out of a worker, or we can use it to build an era of shared prosperity.” This perspective emphasizes the need for collective action and policy changes to ensure that AI serves the interests of the workforce.

The Guardian

• “[For] lower wage workers, there is concern about being replaced by robots. But on the other hand, there’s a lot of concern about being turned into robots,” — Lisa Kresge, Senior Researcher, UC Berkeley Labor Center

The Guardian

• “It is creating an opportunity,” — Sarita Gupta, Vice President of US Programs, Ford Foundation

The Guardian

• “We have to always remind ourselves that the direction of technology is a choice, right?” — Sarita Gupta, Vice President of US Programs, Ford Foundation

The Guardian

The intersection of AI and labor presents a pivotal moment for workers. While the outcomes remain uncertain, the collective anxiety over AI is prompting a reevaluation of worker rights and power dynamics. As society navigates this transformation, the potential for a more equitable future hinges on the choices made today regarding technology and labor relations.

The Guardian