WorldAugust 17, 2026

deskilling

dee-SKIL-ing

Definition

The process by which workers or operators lose their ability to perform tasks or exercise critical judgment because they rely increasingly on automated tools.

Etymology

Derived from the prefix 'de-' (meaning to remove or reverse) and the word 'skill,' which traces back to the Old Norse 'skil' meaning distinction or discernment.

In the news

The article warns that AI-enabled targeting systems can cause human operators to lose their expertise, as they become dependent on machines for decision-making.

Testing the Limits: AI-Enabled Targeting, Model Evaluation and International Humanitarian Law

Read the full article ↗

Opinio Juris

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