The Efficiency Paradox of Artificial Intelligence A Critical Analysis of Ibn Khaldun's Labor Value Theory Perspective on the Dehumanization of Production

Authors

  • Baitul Hamdi Andalas University, Indonesia
  • Luthfi Andalas University, Indonesia
  • Sarah Syukri Andalas University, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24256/kharaj.v8i3.9307

Keywords:

Ibn Khaldun, Islamic Economic Thought, Artificial Intelligence, Industry 5.0, Labor Theory Of Value

Abstract

Purpose: This study reconstructs Ibn Khaldun's economic thought to address the fundamental challenges presented by the era of Artificial Intelligence and Industry 5.0. It examines the intersection of labor value theory and the concept of ta'awun to critique the dehumanization of production. The research aims to develop a human-centric production framework that integrates technological advancements with Islamic economic ethical principles.

Methods: This study uses a qualitative literature review based on a Contextual Hermeneutics approach. The main data comes from the Book of Muqaddimah by Ibn Khaldun, with additional information from the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025 and the International Labour Organization (ILO) on Generative AI. The analysis combines content analysis and comparative analysis to compare employment dislocation statistics with spiritual concepts and Al-Kasb.

Results : The findings indicate that prioritizing total efficiency and zero marginal costs through AI substitution may trigger a Khaldunian Traps, in which the removal of human labor undermines economic value and purchasing power. According to Khaldunian theory, labor constitutes the substance of value; therefore, complete automation generates a value void and diminishes social solidarity (Asabiyyah). Additionally, the "Human-in-the-Loop" model presents a paradox, as it often leads to dehumanization through exploitative microwork. This process undermines the dignity of Kasb and exacerbates structural inequalities, particularly affecting women in the administrative sector.

Implications: Consequently, this study recommends that policymakers adopt Industry 5.0 frameworks and AI models aligned with Islamic ethics. Policies must strictly prioritize the development of "labor-augmenting" technologies to prevent social disparity and preserve the integrity of community solidarity.

References

Al Mamun, A., Sinanoglu, B., & Uddin, M. S. (2022). Ibn Khaldun’s Economic Theories Revisited. İslam Ekonomisi Dergisi, 2(2), 25–47. https://doi.org/10.55237/jie.1061492

Amalia, N., Wati, R., Putri, B., & Mairiza, D. (2023). Eksistensi Prinsip Ekonomi Mikro Islam Terhadap Keberlanjutan Usaha Mikro Di Era Digitalisasi. SHARING: JOURNAL OF ISLAMIC ECONOMICS, MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS, 2(2), 142–156. https://doi.org/10.31004/sharing.v2i2.23419

Butterwegge, C. (2024). Ungleichheit – Gift für den gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt und für die repräsentative Demokratie. Wirtschaftsdienst, 104(7), 453–456. https://doi.org/10.2478/wd-2024-0119

Casilli, A. A. (2021). Waiting for robots: the ever-elusive myth of automation and the global exploitation of digital labor. Sociologias, 23(57), 112–133. https://doi.org/10.1590/15174522-114092

Chin, G., & Culotta, E. (2014). What the numbers tell us. Science, 344(6186), 818–821. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.344.6186.818

Cordova, R. B. (2024). Dinámicas de la violencia en una realidad disruptiva: la deshumanización acelerada por la IA. Claridades. Revista de Filosofía, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.24310/crf.16.2.2024.19629

Cuizon, M. L., Arcega, J. E. R., Mayo II, R. W. G. T., & Villafria, J. B. (2024). The dignity of work and the challenge of artificial intelligence. HO CHI MINH CITY OPEN UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE - SOCIAL SCIENCES, 14(3), 3–11. https://doi.org/10.46223/HCMCOUJS.soci.en.14.3.3060.2024

Estes, R. J. (2019). The ‘Rich’ and ‘Poor’: The Widening Income and Development Gap Between Rich and Poor Nations Worldwide (pp. 463–484). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05535-6_21

Fahrudin, F. (2024). Application of the Principles of Justice in the Distribution of Wealth: A Literature Review of Contemporary Islamic Economics. Indonesian Journal of Islamic Jurisprudence, Economic and Legal Theory, 2(3), 1586–1596. https://doi.org/10.62976/ijijel.v2i3.684

Guerrero, B., & Alberto, S. (2024). Técnica y deshumanización. Desde El Jardín de Freud, 22, 253–266. https://doi.org/10.15446/djf.n22.112851

Gun, L. van der, & Guest, O. (2023). Artificial Intelligence: Panacea or Non-intentional Dehumanisation? https://doi.org/10.31235/osf.io/rh4fw

Hashem, H. (2025). How AI is powering the future of the Islamic economy. Salaam Gateway. https://salaamgateway.com/story/how-ai-is-powering-the-future-of-the-islamic-economy

Hidayat, R., & Suraijiah. (2025). ETOS KERJA DALAM PERSPEKTIF HADIS. Jurnal Riset Multidisiplin Edukasi, 2(6), 524–540. https://doi.org/10.71282/jurmie.v2i6.510

Ikram, N. A. H. S., & Kepli, M. Y. Z. (2018). Establishing Legal Rights and Liabilities for Artificial Intelligence. IIUM Law Journal, 26(1), 161. https://doi.org/10.31436/iiumlj.v26i1.382

International Labour Organization. (2025). One in four jobs at risk of being transformed by GenAI, new ILO–NASK Global Index shows. ILO News. https://www.ilo.org/resource/news/one-four-jobs-risk-being-transformed-genai-new-ilo–nask-global-index-shows

Khaldun, I. (2011). Muqadimah (A. Thaha (ed.)). Pustaka Al-Kautsar.

Leopold, T. (2025). Future of Jobs Report 2025: The jobs of the future – and the skills you need to get them. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/01/future-of-jobs-report-2025-jobs-of-the-future-and-the-skills-you-need-to-get-them/

Malik, M. U. (2025). Metodologi Pemikiran Fazlur Rahman Dalam Memahami Hadits: Menjembatani Konteks Historis Dan Relevansinya Di Era Kontemporer. Batuthah: Jurnal Sejarah Padaban Islam, 4(1), 26–43. https://doi.org/10.38073/batuthah.v4i1.2453

Maulidya, D., Hilmansyah, M., & Azzahra, H. S. (2025). Keadilan Distributif dalam Perspektif Ekonomi Islam. Ekopedia: Jurnal Ilmiah Ekonomi, 1(2), 229–236. https://doi.org/10.63822/1vw4fv28

Nardi, B. (2015). Inequality and limits. First Monday. https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v20i8.6126

Patil, S., Sharma, S., & Mahdavi, M. (2025). From Loop to Partnership: A Framework for Understanding the Evolving Paradigms of Human-AI Collaboration. https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175647875.57157328/v1

Plamondon, S. (2022). Inequality in abundance. Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/frma.2022.980677

Posada, J. (2021). DISEMBEDDEDNESS IN MACHINE LEARNING DATA WORK. AoIR Selected Papers of Internet Research. https://doi.org/10.5210/spir.v2021i0.12015

Qiu, R., & Liu, Z. (2023). AI Widens the Gap between the Rich and the Poor. SHS Web of Conferences, 152, 05004. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202315205004

Rifkin, J. (2014). The Zero Marginal Cost Society: The Internet of Things, the Collaborative Commons, and the Eclipse of Capitalism. St. Martin’s Publishing Group.

Tubaro, P. (2022). Learners in the loop: hidden human skills in machine intelligence. SOCIOLOGIA DEL LAVORO, 163, 110–129. https://doi.org/10.3280/SL2022-163006

Winques, K., & Magnolo, T. (2024). Como a IA Enxerga Seus Trabalhadores? Revista Latinoamericana de Ciencias de La Comunicación, 23(46). https://doi.org/10.55738/alaic.v23i46.1143

Н.И., М., Т.В., О., & Н.И., К. (2022). УПРАВЛЕНИЕ ЧЕЛОВЕЧЕСКИМИ РЕСУРСАМИ В УСЛОВИЯХ ЦИФРОВОЙ ЭКОНОМИКИ: ФИЛОСОФСКО-ЭТИЧЕСКИЙ АСПЕКТ. Management Accounting, 2-3 2022, 641–647. https://doi.org/10.25806/uu2-32022641-647

Downloads

Published

2026-09-02

How to Cite

Hamdi, B., Abdullah, W., & Syukri, S. (2026). The Efficiency Paradox of Artificial Intelligence A Critical Analysis of Ibn Khaldun’s Labor Value Theory Perspective on the Dehumanization of Production. Al-Kharaj: Journal of Islamic Economic and Business, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.24256/kharaj.v8i3.9307

Citation Check

Similar Articles

<< < 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.