Introduction

This chapter discusses why questions on the future of work enjoy popularity and why imagining futures of work is a powerful tool to shape potential futures. Using the concept of sociotechnical imaginaries, the chapter analyses how futures of work are often warnings of jobless dystopias where machines replace humans. This feeds into a long history of pitching humans against machines. It is argued that these sociotechnical imaginaries create patterns of inclusion and exclusion that require further analysis. The chapter defines the key terms such as digitalisation, automation, AI, machine learning, algorithms, and virtual reality, and why these technologies are often described as imbued with the magic of displaying human-like intelligence. The chapter also explains that gender and technology are seen as co-constructed in this book. It is also suggested why AI might be seen as performative in regard to gender. The chapter also outlines the context for the research and the structure of the book.