The Algorithmic Epoch Labour, Intelligence, and Meaning in the Age of AI

What happens to work when a machine can produce the first draft in seconds? Artificial intelligence is changing how people write, code, analyse information, serve customers and make decisions. Yet faster output raises questions that technology alone cannot answer. Who verifies the result? Who benefits from the time saved? What happens to workers when retraining does not lead to enough suitable, well-paid jobs? In The Algorithmic Epoch, Neil Verdant explores the relationship between labour, intelligence and meaning in an age of rapid technological change. Written in clear, accessible language, this book examines how AI works, why exposure to automation is different from job loss, and why greater productivity does not automatically create shorter working hours or greater financial security. Across seven chapters, readers will learn how to evaluate AI-supported work, preserve human responsibility, recognise practical risks and prepare for workplace changes without accepting every prediction at face value. Illustrative workplace examples, selected research, a concise glossary and a practical thirty-day action plan turn complex questions into decisions that workers, managers and small-business owners can apply. No technical background is required—only a willingness to question convincing answers that arrive too easily.