Al-Kasb dan Spesialisasi Kerja: Relevansi Pemikiran Al-Syaibani atas Pergeseran Struktur Tenaga Kerja di Era Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Abstract

The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has reshaped labor structures through shifting skill demands, increasing occupational specialization, and the emergence of skill mismatch and structural unemployment. These transformations raise fundamental questions about the meaning of work and the role of labor in the digital era. This study examines the relevance of Al-Syaibani’s economic thought on al-kasb (work) and occupational specialization in explaining contemporary labor structural shifts driven by AI. Employing a qualitative approach with a literature review method, the study analyzes classical Islamic economic texts alongside contemporary scholarly works on labor market transformation and AI-induced employment change. The analysis is conducted thematically and conceptually by juxtaposing Al-Syaibani’s ideas with current empirical and theoretical findings. The results indicate that al-kasb conceptualizes work as a dynamic, adaptive, and morally grounded productive activity, rather than a static source of income. Al-Syaibani’s emphasis on occupational specialization aligns closely with the growing demand for highly skilled labor in the AI era. The study argues that employment challenges stem primarily from skill mismatches rather than absolute job scarcity. Furthermore, Al-Syaibani’s thought introduces an ethical dimension that highlights justice, human dignity, and institutional responsibility in managing labor transformation. Overall, Al-Syaibani’s framework remains relevant and can be reinterpreted as a normative foundation for responding to AI-driven labor shifts in a just and sustainable manner.