Framing the Future of Work: News Sources and Frames on Artificial Intelligence and Labor from 2000-2022

The future of work has been identified as a national public health priority to better address emerging worker health issues that result from the introduction of AI and new workplace technologies. A frame analysis with a political economy orientation was undertaken to assess the news media’s role in perpetuating neoliberal ideals in the public sphere. The frame analysis centered around issues of artificial intelligence, labor, and the future of work using a sample of news articles from the New York Times and Wall Street Journal from 2000-2022. The sources cited, elite or non-elite, were coded by frequency of use. Two high profile news sources were selected for sampling to determine how political orientation impacted news framing and the use of sources. In total, 342 articles were analyzed for main news frame, public health relevance, and sources cited. The ‘consumer is king’ frame which emphasized consumer experiences, was used most frequently overall (16%). However, over time, its use significantly decreased, upon the emergence of critical counterframes; legality (11%), employability (11%), AI's failures and limitations (8%), giving workers power and voice (3%). The news media is experiencing frame contests of neoliberal frames (the economy is driven by great business leaders and entrepreneurs; 12%, building systems trust; 8%, AI as the next frontier; 3%, and international race; 2%) which relates to our current critical juncture, marked by ideational shifts. While elite sources were typically cited more frequently (M = 3.48, S = 2.57), the use of non-elite sources (M = .71, S = 1.43), primarily, featured the voices of affected workers. Findings demonstrate the significant role that journalists play in elevating worker issues related to AI and the FoW. Journalist can increase use of critical frames and non-elite sources to in effect, build solidarity among workers in the public sphere. Ultimately, more equitable participation in the public sphere may lead to improved public health outcomes for workers in the future of work.