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Article . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Article . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Artificial Intelligence And Productivity: A Review Of Labour Substitution, Augmentation And Task Reconfiguration

Authors: Tushar Chaudhari;

Artificial Intelligence And Productivity: A Review Of Labour Substitution, Augmentation And Task Reconfiguration

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how work is organised and performed across the global economy. This paper reviews the evidence on three core effects: labour substitution, where AI replaces tasks previously done by people; labour augmentation, where AI raises the output and quality of human workers; and task reconfiguration, where jobs are redesigned around the new division of work between humans and machines. Drawing on peer-reviewed studies, working papers and institutional reports published between 2013 and early 2026, the review finds that outright job destruction is less common than popular accounts suggest. Instead, AI tends to substitute for specific tasks within jobs, raises productivity most sharply among less experienced workers and triggers significant redesign of roles rather than wholesale elimination. Key themes include skill compression, the emergence of hybrid human-AI roles and the uneven distribution of both risks and gains across sectors, skill levels and regions. The paper identifies gaps in the literature and sets out directions for future research, with relevance to educational institutions and policymakers in the Global South.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
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