Tech is making workers' jobs more dangerous instead of safer

"Technologies from AI to advanced robotics have been celebrated for their ability to lighten people's workload. But despite their promises, these technologies aren't being used to improve workers' lives or keep them safe. In 2023, 385 workers died every day due to hazardous working conditions, with over 3 million more work-related injuries and illnesses reported that year in the United States."

"Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet spent a collective $155 billion on AI development in the first six months of 2025-close to what the entire U.S. government has spent on education, training, employment, and social services since the start of its fiscal year nine months ago. Yet, very little of this investment has gone to make workers' lives safer. What does this say about us as a society?"

"In health care, a common cause of workplace injury is strain from lifting and physically assisting patients. Assistive technology could go a long way to preventing these common injuries-technologies like robotic exoskeletons, which can be applied in healthcare settings for this purpose, already exist. But we do not see companies racing to build the best robotic assists for care workers. Instead, thousands of companies are creating chatbots that replace their customer support staff or automate away entry-level roles."

Advanced AI and robotics are widely promoted as tools to reduce labor. High rates of worker harm persist: in 2023 an average of 385 workers died each day from hazardous conditions and over three million work-related injuries and illnesses were reported in the United States. Major technology firms invested roughly $155 billion in AI during the first half of 2025 while allocating little funding to improve workplace safety. Healthcare workers face strain injuries from lifting; robotic exoskeletons that could prevent such injuries exist but remain underdeveloped for care settings. Warehouse automation has accelerated production pace and correlated with increased injury rates.

Read at Fast Company