27.02.2024Algorithmic technologies meet diversity: Re-organising work more equally?

Lecturer

Prof. Dr. Patrizia Zanoni (Hasselt)

Date and time

February 27, 2024, 4pm CET (5pm Cairo, 4pm Fez)

Venue

online lecture. please register here: https://www.aoi.uzh.ch/registration

Summary

In this lecture, I reflect on how algorithmic technologies are changing organizations and what these changes entail for historically subordinate groups (e.g. women, racialized, disabled, LGTBQ+ individuals etc.) in paid work and for diverse workforces as a whole. Drawing from my own research on factories, warehouses and the platform economy, I argue that algorithmic technologies potentially reduce historical inequalities between different socio-demographic groups of workers. They do so by allocating and assessing work in ways that no longer rely on culturally defined socio-demographic categories, as it has historically been the case. However, at the same time, algorithmic technologies enable employers to increase the competition among all workers for the same jobs and tasks, weakening the position of the whole (diverse) workforce in its relation to employers.

Organization

Institute of Asian and Oriental Studies - Gender Studies