Perspectives of Alienation in the Digital Labour Market. A Debate and Empirical Proposals between Philosophy, Sociology and Human Rights

The concept of alienation has long been central in philosophical and sociological thought, especially within critiques of industrial capitalism. With the advent of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, alienation has taken new forms in the digital labour market. This paper re-examines alienation through both theoretical and empirical lenses, drawing on Marxist, existentialist, and contemporary critical theories. We explore how algorithmic management, digital surveillance, and the fragmentation of work under digital capitalism contribute to feelings of powerlessness, detachment, and diminished autonomy. The study focuses on how these dynamics reshape human labour, not only in terms of productivity but also in the erosion of agency and recognition. Empirical evidence from education and the gig economy highlights the socio-psychological consequences of algorithmic control. We propose that alienation should be reconceived not merely as a private psychological response, but as a systemic, organizational, and collective phenomenon. Finally, the paper suggests alternatives such as ethical AI, cooperative work models, and legal safeguards to mitigate digital alienation. Through an interdisciplinary approach combining philosophy and sociology, the study aims to update the concept of alienation for the digital era and provide tools for understanding and transforming contemporary work.