This paper proposes a unified approach to studying intelligent technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) that extends current studies of design and use. Current discussion of the implication of AI and the future of work gloss four important issues: variation, power, ideology, and institutions. By a unified approach we mean a research agenda that coordinates studies of variation in use with research on power, ideology, design, and institutional change, all focused on a specific technology or set of technologies. The approach rests on the image of a technology timeline that begins with the issues of power and ideology that underwrite the promotion of intelligent technologies by firms and other stakeholders that have an interest in building and diffusing such technologies. Moving to the right the timeline encompasses studies of design, implementation, and use that pay attention to variation in how intelligent technologies occasion changes in work and employment. Finally, the unified approach extends beyond current workplace studies to consider the institutional changes that may arise as the result of how intelligent technologies are used and employs such considerations to shape the agenda of promoters and designers so that they will create technologies that better benefit society.

本文提出了一种研究诸如人工智能（AI）之类的智能技术的统一方法，该方法扩展了当前对设计和使用的研究。当前关于AI含义和工作未来的讨论掩盖了四个重要问题：变化，力量，意识形态和制度。用统一的方法，我们指的是一个研究议程，该议程将使用变化的研究与对权力，意识形态，设计和制度变革的研究进行协调，所有研究都集中在特定技术或一组技术上。该方法基于技术时间表的图像，该时间表以力量和意识形态问题为出发点，这些问题支持着对建立和推广此类技术感兴趣的公司和其他利益相关者对智能技术的推广。时间线向右移动，包括设计研究，实施和使用时要注意智能技术如何改变工作和就业情况。最后，统一方法超出了当前的工作场所研究范围，可以考虑由于使用智能技术而可能引起的体制变革，并利用这些考虑因素来塑造推广者和设计师的议程，以便他们创造出更好地造福社会的技术。