Exploring the Ethics of Work in an AI-Driven Future

A new spotlight shines on the intersection of philosophy and technology at MIT, where Michal Masny, the NC Ethics of Technology Postdoctoral Fellow, delves into the evolving meaning and value of work in an AI-driven era.

Masny’s research goes beyond economic considerations, emphasizing work as a key domain for personal growth, social contribution, and community. He suggests that eliminating or drastically reducing work, while tempting in an era of automation, may not lead to improved well-being for everyone. "There can be optimal combinations of work and leisure time," Masny concludes, highlighting the need for a nuanced approach to the future of labor.

Throughout his two-year fellowship, Masny has focused on stimulating interdisciplinary dialogue and educating students at the meeting point of philosophy and computing. As a course instructor for "Ethics of Technology" and "Bioethics" at MIT, he advocates for scientists, technologists, and philosophers to adopt each other's critical thinking approaches. Masny argues for bridging what he calls the "wisdom gap," a challenge compounded by the accelerated pace of AI and computing innovation. He references Carl Sagan’s warning about the risks of a society that becomes "powerful without becoming commensurately wise."

The NC Ethics of Technology Fellowship—funded in part by the NC Cultural Foundation and supported by venture capitalist Songyee Yoon—was established to advance critical research and discourse on technology ethics, with a special focus on artificial intelligence (AI). Yoon describes AI as one of the most consequential technologies of the era, underscoring the importance of ethical engagement early in technological education to build a more responsible society.

Masny’s own background spans leading universities: originally from Poland, he studied at Oxford and Warwick in the UK and earned his PhD in philosophy from Princeton University. At MIT, his research touches on value theory, the ethics of technology, political philosophy, and prominent AI-related questions such as human and animal well-being, obligations to future generations, existential risk, work’s future, and anti-aging technologies.

In a notable example of research with direct AI relevance, Masny led a 2024-25 student research group on the ethical, political, and epistemological issues surrounding deepfakes—synthetic media generated by AI, capable of blurring the line between reality and fiction. The group’s findings were presented at the MIT Ethics of Computing Research Symposium, reflecting ongoing concerns worldwide about AI-enabled misinformation and the societal implications of rapid progress in generative models.

Masny also contributed to the MIT Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC) Scholars Program, helping students examine the ethics embedded in their computer science and engineering projects with support from philosophical analysis. He believes developing a philosopher’s mindset helps formulate sharper, more insightful questions—an asset for tackling the complex social and ethical challenges posed by AI and technology.

Kieran Setiya, Peter de Florez Professor in Philosophy and head of MIT’s Department of Linguistics and Philosophy, notes that the NC Ethics of Technology Postdoctoral Fellowship has brought vital, applied interdisciplinary thinking to the study of ethics and AI at MIT. Setiya points to the need for both moral inquiry and practical engagement as the influence of advanced computing and AI continues to grow.

As Masny prepares to join the University of Colorado at Boulder, his research into the value of work and the ethical responsibilities of tech creators remains pressing. His work at MIT demonstrates the need for an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to technology and AI ethics—a message resonating as society adapts to rapid advances in automation and artificial intelligence.

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