Efficiency is one of the main selling points for new AI-powered tools, but efficiency is oftentimes the result of the AI tool and invisible human labor. This post looks at some of the ways law librarians are performing this often invisible labor and creating an illusion of efficiency for primary users.
First, I want to acknowledge that there is a more concerning invisible labor supporting AI-powered tools that raises serious ethical and quality concerns. AI-powered tools are marketed as self-sufficient automated technologies, but they are dependent on significant human labor. This labor is often done by millions of underpaid gig workers. Outsourcing labor creates a system that prioritizes cost savings and quantity over quality while shifting accountability away from AI companies. For more information on this important topic, see the list of sources at the end of this post.