MIT PhD Student Co-Authors Book Tracing the Evolution of Tech Worker Advocacy

The tech industry, once seen as an unassailable bastion of innovation and employee-centric culture, has witnessed significant shifts in its labor landscape. A new book, “Against Tech Oligarchy: Worker Resistance in the World’s Most Powerful Industry,” co-authored by JS Tan SM ’22, a PhD student in MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning, chronicles the rise and subsequent challenges faced by the tech worker labor movement. Published in September 2026, the book offers a timely examination of how tech employees have organized, the impact of their actions, and the evolving relationship between workers and their powerful employers.

According to MIT News, Tan, who joined the tech industry after graduating from Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design in 2015, observed firsthand the changing ethos within tech companies. He notes that many, including himself, were drawn to the sector by the belief that technology could foster a more progressive world. This sentiment was once encapsulated by Google’s informal motto, “don’t be evil.” However, as the industry matured and faced new political and economic pressures, some employees began to question whether their employers truly aligned with these democratic ideals.

From Idealism to Activism: The Genesis of Tech Worker Resistance

The book, co-authored with former tech industry colleague Clarissa Redwine, traces the origins of organized tech worker resistance to significant political events. Tan highlights the period around 2017, when President Donald Trump’s executive order on immigration sparked widespread opposition within the tech sector. Tan, then working at Microsoft, recalls the strong pushback from the industry, citing OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman’s public participation in protests and his blog post urging tech companies to take a stand.

Altman’s words, according to Tan, served as an inspiration for many tech workers to voice their opposition and advocate for their values. Over several years, this led to a wave of activism, including walkouts and protests against employer contracts with U.S. military and immigration enforcement agencies, as well as against perceived sexist workplace policies. These early actions often met with success. A notable example occurred in 2018 when, following employee protests, Google opted not to renew its contract for Project Maven, a Pentagon initiative utilizing artificial intelligence for drone surveillance analysis. Nearly 4,000 employees had signed an open letter, asserting that “Google should not be in the business of war.”

This period of effective leverage by tech workers demonstrated a nascent power dynamic where collective action could influence corporate decisions. For students and educators, this historical context provides a crucial case study in the dynamics of labor movements and corporate responsibility in the digital age. Understanding these shifts can help prepare future professionals for navigating complex ethical and labor issues within their careers. To explore more about the societal impacts of technology and ethics, students can utilize resources like COSMIQ — free voice AI tutoring, which offers support across a wide range of subjects, including social studies and current events.

The Ebbing Tide: Challenges to Worker Influence

The landscape, however, began to shift. Tan’s book argues that several factors contributed to a decline in tech workers' influence. He points to interest rate hikes in 2022, which led to significant market valuation losses for the tech industry. This economic downturn prompted companies to cut costs, often through layoffs and reduced salaries, thereby weakening the labor market for tech professionals and allowing employers to regain control.

Another critical factor, according to Tan, is the drastic effect of agentic AI coding systems. These tools, he suggests, have led to a “deskilling” of workers and amplified concerns about job security. This development underscores a broader societal conversation about the future of work in an AI-driven economy, a topic of increasing relevance for students considering careers in technology and related fields. The book posits that without a unified front, such as a union, tech workers faced these shocks individually, diminishing their collective power to push back effectively.

For parents and teachers, these insights highlight the evolving nature of the job market and the importance of fostering adaptability and critical thinking skills in students. Discussing the implications of AI on various industries can be a valuable part of career preparation. Students can find additional learning materials and practice opportunities on these topics through the COSMIQ free practice hub, which covers various subjects and grade levels.

Documenting for the Future: MIT's Role and Broader Implications

Tan’s academic journey at MIT, where he earned a master’s degree from the Media Lab in 2022 and is now pursuing his doctorate in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning, reflects his deep commitment to understanding the political economy of the tech sector. His research, as highlighted by MIT News, bridges his personal experience as a tech worker with rigorous academic inquiry.

Tan and Redwine embarked on writing “Against Tech Oligarchy” in 2024, driven by a concern that the capacity for labor organizing among tech workers had reached a low point. Their aim was to analyze why, within eight years, the tech worker movement seemed to have entered a state of paralysis. Tan emphasizes that tech workers desire a say in how technologies are designed and want to ensure appropriate guardrails are in place for the tools they are building.

The book serves not only as a historical account but also as a resource for future discussions and actions regarding labor rights, ethical technology development, and corporate accountability. For the MIT community, this work exemplifies the Institute’s commitment to interdisciplinary research that addresses pressing societal challenges, bringing academic rigor to real-world issues. The Department of Urban Studies and Planning will co-host a book launch and discussion on October 26, further engaging the community in these vital conversations.

This research is particularly relevant for students considering careers in technology, urban planning, or social justice. It offers a framework for understanding the complexities of working within powerful industries and the ongoing struggle for worker advocacy. The insights from “Against Tech Oligarchy” contribute to a broader understanding of how technological advancement, economic forces, and human agency intersect to shape our world.