In 1920, Karel Čapek coined the term “robot” to describe a mechanical working class—a dehumanized labor force devoid of dignity. Inspired by this concept and today’s rapidly evolving technology, Jobless Robot probes a critical question: What will we become when work is no longer central to our identity?
Created as part of my MSc in Creative Robotics, Jobless Robot explores our fears and hopes in an AI-driven future. The installation prompts reflection on the societal shift as AI and robots advance from performing “dirty, dangerous, and dull” tasks to potentially replacing roles we once deemed irreplaceable. With Large Language Models and generative art tools transforming creative industries, we face an identity crisis: we’ve long tied our sense of self to productivity, career, and economic survival.
Jobless Robot symbolizes our contemporary struggle—a reflection on the idea that we, like robots, are still struggling to find purpose beyond labor. But it also suggests a new possibility: Could the replacement of jobs by AI offer freedom to redefine our role in society?
Through this project, I invite viewers to consider: What should be the role of robots in society? Which jobs should remain human? And what policies will support a post-work economy? Jobless Robot is a call to envision a world where human worth transcends productivity, and technology serves as a catalyst for exploring new identities.
