Men Replaced by Robots? Ethical Issues in Response to Technological Developments: Challenges for CSR

Abstract

Over the latest decades, technology has been the driving force for most of the transformations that characterize the professional work today. Artificial Intelligence, robots, automation, complex systems and machines, and many other technological inventions do not represent a futuristic vision anymore, but they rather define our current reality, altering the fundamental nature of business and work. Besides their incontestable benefits, inquiries about the powerful impact of these technologies have surfaced, leading to a debate on "existential threat" they pose, since the nature of this technological progress is unpredictable. Therefore, there is a need to undertake proactive measures (such as a regulatory framework) in order to identify and mitigate the risks. In this context, the aim of this paper is to address some ethical issues with regard to the impact the accelerated technological developments have on humankind, mainly on the workforce, and the way the future of work is reconfigured by these transformations. In addition, the paper addresses some implications for the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), highlighting that it is crucial for companies to address the challenges posed by the new technologies in an ethical manner in order to contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future.