Professionalism in the age of artificial intelligence : Theoretical implications

Faulconbridge, James and Muzio, Daniel (2023) Professionalism in the age of artificial intelligence : Theoretical implications. British Journal of Management. pp. 3-23. ISSN 1045-3172 (In Press)

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Abstract

There has been a lot of journalistic, practitioner and academic attention on the topic of AI and the profession. Some have focused on how professional service firms introduce and use increasingly sophisticated technological solutions. Others have focused on the impact of AI on professional labour markets. Indeed, the consensus seems to be that unlike previous technological revolutions, this current one will concern primarily professional and knowledge workers. However, given the prospect of wide-ranging change, surprisingly little attention has been paid to how AI may affect our theoretical understanding of professionalism as a distinct work organization principle. This is unfortunate since the new AI revolution is likely to challenge some deeply held assumptions and understandings which underpin the sociology of the professions as a distinct body of knowledge. In this contribution to the symposium, we focus on this issue and reflect on how AI might affect the way we understand professionalism.