Fluid work practices and AI: a computational literature review

Purpose – The widespread adoption of digital technology has significantly transformed working and organizational practices. Work environments have been restructured beyond traditional time and space boundaries, necessitating tailored job specifications and employment relationships. Despite the growing prevalence of this phenomenon, the scientific discourse remains fragmented and lacks a cohesive understanding to guide new work models. Design/methodology/approach – This study leverages literature on nonstandard forms of work to explore theoretical discourses, incorporating technological and artificial intelligence (AI) aspects. A data-driven method was employed, selecting 341 papers for an “integrated” computational literature review (CLR), comprising (1) topic modeling analysis via the BERT algorithm and (2) qualitative analysis mapping of relevant findings. Findings – We identified eight topics reflecting changes and key aspects of fluid work, particularly focusing on the impact of AI. These topics fall into four main categories: skills, well-being, monitoring and regulation. We discuss these topics and propose future research avenues. Research limitations/implications – This research advances HR practices and informs future workforce management studies. Further research is required to explore new work form relationships. Originality/value – This study advances the discourse on AI and fluid work by elucidating key themes and establishing a structured basis for theoretical development.