AI, Structural Change, and the Future of Work

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and related technologies is reshaping the labor market, posing both challenges and opportunities. Technologies such as accessible generative language models, AI-driven job matching algorithms, automated screening algorithms, and industrial robots may increase efficiency of production while having indirect effects on inequality, unemployment risks, job satisfaction and occupational segregation. To understand these processes require solid empirical work that tracks positive and negative consequences, and relate these to possible policy solution that would allow us to harvest the benefits with a minimum of negative impacts. To derive solid and policy relevance evidence, we form an interdisciplinary research cluster spanning across Uppsala University, Mälardalen University and Örebro University usingunique register data, targeted surveys, unstructured data from vacancy postings, and both quantitative and qualitative empirical methods.

The cluster develops evidence-based policy insights through cutting-edge research by teams of leading Swedish researchers in collaboration with junior researchers, top international scholars, and stakeholders in both the private and public sectors. The research will address risks and potential benefits of increased use of new technologies and assess the potential for policy interventions in areas such as education, active labor market policies, employment protection, collective agreements and business practices to help ensure that the productivity gains from technological advancements can remain aligned with an equitable and resilient labor market.