The Value of Work in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Meaning, Social Contribution, and Recognition amid Productive Dehumanization

In the context of rapid technological change, particularly the rise of artificial intelligence and automation, the traditional centrality of work as a source of identity, income, and social recognition is undergoing profound transformation. This article critically examines the socio-philosophical implications of a post-work society, exploring the tensions between labor, meaning, and value in contemporary capitalism. Drawing on theoretical contributions from André Gorz, Hannah Arendt, Axel Honneth, David Graeber, and others, the study interrogates the declining association between economic productivity and human worth. Through a synthesis of critical theory and recent empirical research, it advocates for a new ethics of social value grounded in recognition rather than employment status. The paper concludes that without structural reforms—including progressive taxation and universal basic income—the benefits of technological advancement may exacerbate social exclusion. Ultimately, the article calls for a reimagining of societal frameworks to support dignity, contribution, and flourishing beyond the confines of formal labor.