Confronting Capitalism with Vivek Chibber Is AI Coming for Our Jobs?
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Feb 18, 2026 
Vivek Chibber, professor of sociology and editor of Catalyst, outlines the history and politics of automation and AI. He contrasts tool-based vs full job replacement, explores how past technologies reshaped work and wages, and discusses why profit motives determine AI adoption. He also considers policy responses and how political power shapes who benefits from technological change.
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Past Tech Waves Predict AI's Likely Path
- Historical waves of technology show automation rarely causes long-term aggregate job loss.
- AI so far deepens computer-era changes rather than producing a wholly new labor market outcome.
Two Faces Of Automation
- Automation can either replace whole jobs or just specific tasks, both raise productivity.
- Higher productivity often means producing more with the same labor inputs, which can reduce hiring needs in that task.
How ATMs Expanded Teller Jobs
- ATMs increased bank profitability and led banks to open more branches.
- Bank teller roles expanded into customer-relations jobs instead of disappearing.