Eurofound research paper

AI, algorithmic management and the transformation of society, work, and employment – exploring the concepts

Published: 30 April 2026

Building on Eurofound’s established conceptual framework of the digital age, this concept paper examines how the unfolding artificial intelligence wave is set to transform not only the world of work and employment, but also the wider fabric of society, from the delivery and quality of public services to the production, dissemination and governance of information. The analysis is guided by four vectors of change – automation, augmentation, digitisation and platformisation – identified as the central drivers shaping this transformation. The concepts presented in this paper will inform Eurofound’s future research on artificial intelligence and algorithmic management.

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This section provides information on the data contained in this publication.

List of tables

Table 1: Four vectors of change and their associated technology applications

List of figures

Figure 1: Attributes of the digital economy

Figure 2: Direct and indirect effects of AI and algorithmic management on work, employment and living conditions through vectors of change

Figure 3: The platformisation of work and society – a simplified taxonomy

Eurofound recommends citing this publication in the following way.

Eurofound (2026), AI, algorithmic management and the transformation of society, work, and employment – exploring the concepts, Eurofound research paper, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg.

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European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions
The tripartite EU agency providing knowledge to assist in the development of better social, employment and work-related policies