Convenors:
Ingrid Erickson, Syracuse University, USA
Margunn Aanestad, University of Oslo, Norway
Carsten Østerlund, Syracuse University, USA
Today, not only is work primarily digital and computational, but it is fast becoming algorithmic with the introduction of artificial intelligence into existing procedures and practices. Noting that there are more and more instances of organizations utilizing artificial intelligence for strategic and operational ends, this sub-theme seeks to better understand these relationships by drawing in empirical scholarship that studies work at this particular human-technology frontier. Incumbent in our desire to convene this conversation are three driving questions:
• Where and how is artificial intelligence being used in contemporary organizations?
• How do these examples help us understand shifts in work practices (i.e., are artificial agents new collaborators, embedded technical constraints, something else entirely)?
• How can enquiries into to working with smart agents reveal what is intrinsically human about modern forms of work?
We encourage submissions that address the broad subject of automation and work from an equally broad array of disciplinary scholars. We invite papers that deal with (but are not limited to) the following topic areas:
• AI in the collective
• AI knowledge work
• AI now and then
• Algorithmic infrastructures
• Algorithmic phenomena in the organization of work
• Breakdowns in AI and work
• Designing AI-Human practices
• Dynamic relationships between AI and humans
• Methodological implication of algorithmic phenomena
• Nature of coordination and collaboration in the age of the "smart machine"
• Predictions in practice
• Roboticization and hybrid agency
• Sociomaterial theorizing about new forms of work
Short papers should focus on the main ideas of the paper, i.e. they should explain the purpose of the paper, theoretical background, the research gap that is addressed, the approach taken, the methods of analysis (in empirical papers), main findings, and contributions. In addition, it is useful to indicate clearly how the paper links with the sub-theme and the overall theme of the Colloquium, although not all papers need to focus on the overall theme. Creativity, innovativeness, theoretical grounding, and critical thinking are typical characteristics of EGOS papers.
Short papers are limited to 3,000 words (incl. references, all appendices and other material).
Additional information and submission directions can be found
here.