How will emerging technologies change the nature of work?
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How will emerging technologies change the nature of work?

As a futurologist, the question I got asked the most during 2023 and so far into 2024 is how emerging technologies will impact the 'nature of work'. The future of work is being significantly reshaped by the rapid advancement of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), automation, virtual reality, digital twins, online collaboration tools, and much more. As I cover this topic extensively in my new book 'The Conscious Code' while these technologies bring about concerns about job displacement, they also create new job opportunities and improve the quality of existing jobs.

Embracing Change

It's critical to recognise that AI and automation are transforming the nature of work and are leading to the creation of new job roles and the redefinition of existing ones. For instance, the rise of e-commerce has led to the creation of thousands of new jobs in logistics and fulfilment, as well as in digital marketing and customer service. Remote working, facilitated by technological advances, has become a prominent trend in a hybrid workplace, offering both opportunities and challenges for workers and employers alike. The future workplace will be characterised by increased flexibility and a shift towards task-based work, allowing individuals to have more autonomy in how and where they complete their tasks.

Addressing Concerns

While these technological advancements hold promise, there are concerns about potential job displacement. It is estimated that AI and automation could displace a significant number of jobs by 2030, but they could also create an even greater number of new jobs. The skills and capabilities required in the future will shift, with a greater emphasis on activities that machines are less capable of, such as managing people, applying expertise, creativity, communicating with others, and much more. But it is the speed of adapting their workforces that organisations are struggling with, which is why programs and services such as those provided by PLUS UTS Business Futures are so timely and critical. PLUS UTS Business Futures partners with organisations to jointly create innovative, tailored learning experiences that have an immediate impact through an uplift in employee skills and capability, increasing their performance on the job.

Navigating the Future

As we navigate this transformative period, it is crucial to proactively prepare for the evolving nature of work. This involves staying informed about the latest trends in the workplace, assessing and developing relevant skills, and embracing the opportunities presented by these emerging technologies. Organisations and individuals alike must adapt to this changing landscape to ensure continued success in the future of work and to future-proof and accelerate their workforces through impactful skills development.

Key Point: The future of work is being shaped by the rapid evolution of technology. While there are legitimate concerns about job displacement, it is equally important to recognise the potential for creating new and meaningful job opportunities. By understanding and preparing for the impact of these emerging technologies, we can navigate the future of work with confidence.

References

CIPD. (n.d.). Technology and the Future of Work | Factsheets. Retrieved from https://www.cipd.org/en/knowledge/factsheets/emerging-future-work-factsheet

Deloitte. (n.d.). The Impact of AI and Emerging Technologies on the Workforce: New Jobs and Opportunities. Retrieved from https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/impact-ai-emerging-technologies-workforce-new-jobs

McKinsey. (n.d.). AI, automation, and the future of work: Ten things to solve for. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/ai-automation-and-the-future-of-work-ten-things-to-solve-for

NIC-2021-02492. (n.d.). The 8 Biggest Future Of Work Trends In 2024 Everyone Needs To Be Ready For Now. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2023/10/17/the-8-biggest-future-of-work-trends-in-2024-everyone-needs-to-be-ready-for-now/?sh=58dd40602ac2

Parry, E., & Battista, V. (2023). The impact of emerging technologies on work: a review of the evidence and implications for the human resource function. Emerald Publishing Limited. Retrieved from https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/EOR-04-2023-0001/full/html

WTW. (2023). How Work Is Changing: AI, Automation And Virtual Co-Workers. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnbremen/2023/08/15/how-work-is-changing-ai-automation-and-virtual-co-workers/?sh=4b81246164ae

Michael Rada

H U M A N & INDUSTRY 5.0 FOUNDER

9 个月

Dear Professor Rocky Scopelliti thank you for your look into the FUTURE OF WORK. Strangely, INDUSTRY 5.0 is missing despite being named the leading global industrial trend of the century. Let me share with you the INDUSTRY 5.0 keynote that will help you to narrow the understanding of INDUSTRY 5.0 principles, origin, and future development. If any questions, feel free to ask. my name is Michael Rada and I am the Founder of INDUSTRY 5.0. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luQRihdApRw

Grant Castillou

Office Manager Apartment Management

9 个月

It's becoming clear that with all the brain and consciousness theories out there, the proof will be in the pudding. By this I mean, can any particular theory be used to create a human adult level conscious machine. My bet is on the late Gerald Edelman's Extended Theory of Neuronal Group Selection. The lead group in robotics based on this theory is the Neurorobotics Lab at UC at Irvine. Dr. Edelman distinguished between primary consciousness, which came first in evolution, and that humans share with other conscious animals, and higher order consciousness, which came to only humans with the acquisition of language. A machine with only primary consciousness will probably have to come first.

Brendan Russell

Certified Parts Manager |?? Supply Chain Operations, optimizing ?? inventory, boosting ?? sales performance, ?? purchasing, and procurement management | 15+ yrs. Experience

9 个月

Absolutely love this piece Professor Rocky Scopelliti I have been trying to explain these exact concepts to various people within my direct professional and personal environments But, majority seem to be impervious to the mention of this as if it will not affect them in their current lifetime What do you think? Are we closer to this than what people might think?

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