The Future is Now: How Technology is Reshaping Our World

The Tech work has seen remarkable disruptions in the past few years – from automation?to big data, NLP, mobile computing, cloud computing, machine learning, virtual reality, augmented reality and now generative AI.

Every time we adopt a new technology, we all start sweating bullets about getting laid off, how our lives are about to be ruined, and how our personal data is about to be spread all over the internet for anyone who cares to look and how even our newspaper vendor probably knows our intimate personal details. But then we realize that we're still here, and our lives are still pretty much the same, and our personal data is still just as embarrassing as ever.

When automation was in the in thing some years, everyone talked about how it would replace existing jobs. And boy, it did but it also created new jobs and increased specialization. People no longer focused on rote jobs but developed skills in data sciences, software engineering, business analysis and Robotics. Businesses were able to implement their go-to-market strategies at a quicker pace. We saw a shift in roles and the acquisition of new skills to adapt to these technologies. This trend of transition and learning will continue to shape our future and remain the status quo.

Skill Gap: The New Normal

We have learned to live and thrive with technological innovation, constantly evolving and adapting to its demands. The implementation of new technologies requires talent, but a readily available and experienced talent pool for new technologies simply does not exist. When automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications was a big thing, everyone was looking people with at least 2+ years’ experience in Kubernetes but they laughably just did not exist. I digress, the scarcity of talent for new technologies necessitates the reskilling and upskilling of existing talent to bridge the gap and the need of the hour is simply to step up, build new skills, stay relevant and then some more.

While some companies may not immediately embrace new technologies and experience redundancies, there is a wave of organizations eagerly willing to invest in these emerging innovations. The availability of suitable talent may be limited, but the demand for it is far greater.

The Driver of Change and Key to Progress

Technology innovation is not markedly different from the past innovations that have brought us to this point in history. From the creation of stone tools to the invention of fire, the wheel, the printing press, the steam engine, electricity, and the modern computer, each innovation has served as a catalyst for change. What sets the current technological advancements apart is their rapid evolution over months or years, rather than the millennia it took for some of the previously mentioned breakthroughs to emerge.

Technology is an enabler for businesses, not the business itself except for companies that provide these services. The evolution and innovation of technology are aimed at enhancing consumer experiences. These advancements improve our lifestyles, make communication easier, and give us access to information at our fingertips. Ultimately, they elevate our overall quality of life.

By maintaining a curious mind, staying up-to-date on current trends, cultivating a passion for continuous learning, and embracing resilience in the face of transformation, we can channel these new trends to propel our careers forward. Instead of dwelling on the potential negative effects of technology, we can focus on how it can help us to improve our lives and businesses. Jobs will continue to exist but they will not be the same as the ones that existed before.

It's essential to recognize that technology innovations are human creations - architected, designed, developed, and maintained by humans, and do not arise from thin air. What it does is simply introduce Change. Change is the only constant in Life and we have been dealing with Transformation and Change Management for years now. It isn't anything new.

The Future of Work

As we look ahead, we can anticipate even more groundbreaking innovations that will continue to revolutionize the way we interact with one another and consume various services. Technologies like genomics?in healthcare, General Artificial Intelligence, Extended Realities and quantum computing hold tremendous transformative potential. The future of work is being rewritten by the convergence of artificial intelligence, robotics, and quantum computing and more.

In this new world, jobs will be more about creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. The opportunities are endless. We could see the rise of new industries, the creation of new jobs, and the transformation of old ones. It will require a transformation in our education system and a curriculum that is nimble enough to adapt to the everchanging needs of the world that students will enter. Let’s face it, the world today and its needs are very different from the world of 4 years ago and I ponder at how our college graduates, are able to effectively bring this education to bear in the workplace. No wonder we are seeing such a huge rise in self-doubt, lack of confidence and fear of the future in our young adults.

Our Education System Needs to Adapt..

As the future of work changes rapidly, our education system needs to keep pace. In the past, a traditional degree in business, engineering, or law was enough to secure a good job. However, the digital age has transformed the workforce, and employers are now looking for workers with skills in data science, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing; tomorrow it could be for a new set of skills (last I heard ChatGPT & Bing Prompt Engineering was a much in demand skill).

Our education system needs to adapt to these changes by teaching students the skills they need to succeed in the new economy. This means offering more courses in STEM subjects and digital literacy. It also means teaching students how to think critically and solve problems creatively. Communications skills, Presentation Skills, Creative and Lateral thinking will have primacy when it comes to hiring talent.

In addition to changing the curriculum, our education system also needs to change its teaching methods. Traditional lecture-based learning is no longer enough to prepare students for the future of work. We need to find ways to engage students in active learning and give them opportunities to apply their skills in real-world projects. The future of work is uncertain, but one thing is for sure - the jobs of tomorrow will require different skills than the jobs of today. Our education system needs to change to meet the needs of the future workforce.

Finally, Embrace Technology, Do not Fear It

The next tech breakthrough is probably just around the corner. Rather than fearing job redundancies, we should embrace the opportunities for growth and development that accompany these advancements. Technology enables us to create a future that surpasses our current expectations, driving us towards a world where convenience, connectivity, and efficiency shape our lives. It is through this mindset of embracing change and enriching experiences that we can harness the power of new trends and technology to shape a better future for all.

As long as we have a curious mind, continue to stay abreast of existing trends, have the passion to learn and the resilience to transform we should be excited about how each of us can use new trends to further our careers instead of thinking about how it will affect us negatively.

Rajeev Vijayan.