Metamorphoses of Labor Law Subjects in AI-driven World

K. L. Tomashevski; I. A. Filipova

doi:10.17803/2713-0533.2026.1.35.081-099

Metamorphoses of Labor Law Subjects in AI-driven World

K. L. Tomashevski, I. A. Filipova

https://doi.org/10.17803/2713-0533.2026.1.35.081-099

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Abstract

The relevance of the paper stems from anticipated transition of contemporary digital society and the platform economy from Society 4.0 to Society 5.0, characterized by the increasing integration of physical and virtual environments and the expansion of metaverse technologies. This transformation raises fundamental questions regarding revolutionary changes in labor law, including the emergence of digital legal relations, digital subjects of labor law, and qualitatively new phenomena within the institutions of the special part of labor law. The research objective is to pose the problem of digital subjects (quasi-subjects) of labor law and to comprehend the metamorphoses that occur with employees and employers in AI-driven world. During the research, a set of general and special scientific methods was used: dialectics, concrete historical, sociological, comparative legal and system-functional methods, as well as forecasting and logical techniques. Principal results include the substantiation of metamorphosis occurring between the employer and employee in the platform economy and a new concept of digital workers and digital employers as potentially significant subjects of labor law, who will gradually displace classical workers, employees and employers under the transition to Society 5.0 in AI-driven world. The authors substantiate new doctrinal definitions and elements of the legal status of a digital worker and a digital employer. They forecast the development of legal regulation of new digital entities (quasi-subjects) of digital employment relations in Society 5.0.

Keywords

digital labor platform, platform worker, employee, employer, digital employer, digital worker, AI, subjects of labor law

About the Authors

K. L. Tomashevski

Kazan Innovative University named after V.G. Timiryasov (IEML)
Russian Federation

Kirill L. Tomashevski, Dr. Sci. (Law), Deputy Dean, Law Faculty; Professor, Department of Civil and Business Law

Kazan

Scopus Author ID: 13608916900

I. A. Filipova

Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod
Russian Federation

Irina A. Filipova, Cand. Sci. (Law), Associate Professor, Department of Labour and Environmental Law

Nizhny Novgorod

Scopus Author ID: 57327205000

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For citations:

Tomashevski K.L., Filipova I.A. Metamorphoses of Labor Law Subjects in AI-driven World. Kutafin Law Review. 2026;13(1):81-99. https://doi.org/10.17803/2713-0533.2026.1.35.081-099

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