Changing Governmentalities at a PES: The Algorithmic Activation of the (in)dividual

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of algorithmic systems on the governmentality of job seekers’ activation. Drawing on algorithmic governmentality theory, which conceptualizes algorithmic systems as forming the basis for a new form of biopolitical governmentality, we examine the case of algorithmic technology introduced at the Belgian Public Employment Service VDAB. Our analysis highlights how activation shifts from an interpersonal practice of counselors towards the organizational process of data collection, management and processing of extensive numerical data. This fragments individual job seekers into ‘data doubles’, digital profiles based on predefined indicators, and reconfigures them as ‘dividuals’ to be dynamically evaluated against other comparable job seekers. This study advances the debate on the use of algorithmic technologies by the state by shifting the analytical focus from the reorganization of counselors’ work towards the governmentality of the population.