As automation accelerates and debates over universal basic income intensify, the question of work’s purpose grows louder. Michal Masny, MIT’s NC Ethics of Technology Postdoctoral Fellow, argues that work remains irreplaceable—not just as a source of income, but as a foundation for human excellence, social contribution, and community building. His research challenges the assumption that shorter workweeks or the elimination of work would universally improve lives. Instead, he advocates for an equilibrium where labor and leisure complement each other to enhance human flourishing.
Work as a pillar of meaning and community
Masny’s work challenges the modern narrative that work is merely transactional. Beyond financial compensation, his research highlights how work fosters personal growth, social recognition, and belonging. “Consider a society where work disappears entirely,” he observes. “While some might celebrate the freedom, others could lose a vital source of identity and connection.”
His position aligns with empirical observations about well-being: meaningful work often correlates with higher life satisfaction, mental health, and social cohesion. Masny cautions, however, that these benefits depend on work’s ethical and purposeful design. When stripped of dignity or purpose, labor can become a source of alienation rather than fulfillment.
Bridging philosophy and technology in education
As Masny’s two-year fellowship at MIT concludes this spring, his efforts extend beyond research into education and dialogue. His undergraduate course, Ethics of Technology, pushes students to adopt a dual lens—scientific rigor paired with philosophical reflection. “I want scientists who approach projects with the foresight of a lawyer or the moral imagination of a philosopher,” he explains. “The pace of innovation demands wisdom, not just power.”
This philosophy stems from a warning issued by Carl Sagan decades ago: technological advancement without ethical guidance risks creating tools that outpace human wisdom. Masny critiques the traditional compartmentalization where scientists innovate while philosophers and lawyers reactively regulate. “By the time ethicists weigh in, the genie may already be out of the bottle,” he notes. “The division of labor must evolve.”
The fellowship advancing ethical AI discourse
Launched in 2021 with backing from the NC Cultural Foundation, the NC Ethics of Technology Fellowship at MIT was designed to catalyze interdisciplinary research on AI’s societal impacts. Venture capitalist Songyee Yoon, founder of Principal Venture Partners, championed the initiative, emphasizing AI’s transformative potential. “Responsible AI isn’t built after the fact—it’s designed from the start,” she asserts. “MIT’s fellowship is cultivating the next generation of builders who understand both the code and the consequences.”
Under this program, fellows like Masny explore existential questions: What obligations do we owe future generations? How do we mitigate risks like human extinction or unchecked technological deployment? Their work bridges abstract philosophy and concrete policy, offering actionable insights for policymakers and technologists alike.
Student-led ethical exploration in the AI era
Masny’s tenure at MIT has been marked by collaborative teaching and student-driven research. In fall 2024, he co-led Bioethics, an undergraduate course examining the ethical dimensions of scientific progress. During the 2024–25 academic year, he mentored students in the SERC Scholars Program, where groups investigated the ethical, political, and epistemological challenges posed by deepfakes.
Students presented their findings at the MIT Ethics of Computing Research Symposium, translating abstract ethical dilemmas into tangible research projects. In summer 2025, Masny contributed to a course where computer science students subjected their own projects to ethical scrutiny—a rare opportunity for engineers to confront the societal implications of their work before deployment.
A model for interdisciplinary inquiry
Masny’s philosophy reflects MIT’s ethos: tackle complex questions by crossing disciplinary boundaries. His work spans value theory, social philosophy, and existential risks like AI alignment. Yet, he insists that answers require more than abstract debate. “Philosophy isn’t just about reading texts in silence,” he remarks. “It’s about testing ideas in real time with peers from engineering, law, and social sciences.”
As he reflects on his fellowship, Masny praises MIT’s culture of intellectual fearlessness. “The best research happens when you’re forced to defend your ideas against skeptics from entirely different fields,” he says. “That tension is where breakthroughs emerge.”
Looking ahead, Masny’s research could inform policies balancing automation’s efficiency with society’s need for purposeful labor. Whether through shorter workweeks, universal basic income experiments, or AI governance frameworks, his work underscores a critical insight: the future of work isn’t just about economics—it’s about preserving what makes us human.
AI summary
MIT philosopher Michal Masny argues work’s value extends far beyond salaries, shaping well-being, ethics, and community. Discover how balancing labor and leisure could redefine society’s future.
