What does our relationship with work actually mean? This was the central question explored on France 24’s The Debate, where DiPLab’s own Antonio Casilli, Professor of Sociology at Institut Polytechnique de Paris, joined a panel of experts to dissect the evolving landscape of work in an age of AI, gig economies, and generational upheaval. Professor Casilli brought his extensive research on digital labor and platform economies to the conversation, offering crucial context on how technology is reshaping not just what work we do, but how we think about work itself. The debate, facilitated by journalist François Picard, brought together diverse perspectives including Dipty Chander (President of E-mma), Benjamin Chaminade (CEO of Reboot-inc), and economist Gilles Saint-Paul. Alongside Casilli, they explored whether humans should still define themselves by how they earn their keep, and what we can expect as inequality grows and technology accelerates.

On May 1st, 2025—Labor Day—France24 hosted a timely televised debate on the fears and opportunities that artificial intelligence presents for workers. Among the guests was Paola Tubaro, co-founder of DiPLab and a researcher at CNRS, who offered a sharp perspective on the discussion. The conversation revolved around a deep contradiction. On one hand, a widespread fear that AI will replace human labor, destabilize job markets, and deepen inequality. Certain jobs—especially those involving routine or precarious tasks—seem to be far more vulnerable than others. On the other hand, AI is also seen as a potential opportunity: the beginning of a “new industrial revolution”, capable of transforming how we work, influencing education, creating new room for social dialogue between employers, governments, and workers. Click here for video Yet Dr. Tubaro urged viewers to go further than surface-level concerns, by shifting the focus toward a more often overlooked question: how AI is produced, and by whom. Behind every “intelligent” machine lies a hidden human infrastructure—thousands of workers labeling data, training algorithms, and moderating online content. These workers, often located in the Global South, remain largely invisible, underpaid, and unprotected. For Tubaro, these workers are among those most overlooked in the AI-driven economy, often bearing the hidden costs of innovation. > “The struggles and union efforts of data workers in the Global South are > especially powerful because they’re not just fighting for better > conditions—they’re putting forward a vision of what AI should be, and what > kind of future it could help us build.” (Paola Tubaro, France24, 1 mai 2025) However, their story does not end there. These same workers are now at the forefront of organizing and resistance, pushing back against the terms of their exploitation and offering alternative visions of an AI-driven world. They are contributing a powerful voice to the global conversation about technology and fairness.