The impact of rapid changes in information and communication technologies on knowledge in the workplace.

The rapid advancement of information and communication technologies (ICT) is transforming workplaces at an unprecedented pace.

This technological revolution poses significant challenges related to frequent ICT changes and knowledge obsolescence.

The learning curve associated with these technologies is more than a generational issue, as ICT possesses cognitive characteristics that make learning them a non-trivial effort.

The current pace of change adds another layer of complexity, with almost constant knowledge obsolescence and the need for continuous knowledge updates.?

Corporate knowledge management initiatives are essential for overcoming these problems, sometimes complementing training and other times substituting it.

However, corporate knowledge management can significantly benefit from the experiences of online communities.

These communities increasingly organize knowledge in wiki and blog environments and utilize tags, feeds, aggregators, and links to connect the pieces better.

In addition to solutions from within companies, governmental policymakers can play a critical role in successful ICT adaptation in the workplace.

These policy actions and their success vary with a regime's political attitude and the level of influence it chooses to wield.

But, they can still play a key role in helping employees and employers navigate this critical time of ICT changes.

The impact of technological obsolescence is wider than the ICT sector.

A study by Cedefop found that over half of employees in Finland, Malta, Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden, and the UK felt the impact of changing technologies used for their work in the past five years.

Or since they started their current employment.

In addition, 47% experienced changes to their working methods or practices.

New technologies are more prevalent in the rapidly changing ICT sector, where 57% of all jobs have experienced change.

Still, close to half of workers were also affected by several other high-innovation economic activities, including gas, electricity, and mining (51%), financial, insurance, and real estate services (51%), professional, scientific, and technical services (51%), and manufacturing/engineering (49%).

Technological change is more likely to influence individuals employed in high-skilled occupations, most notably technicians and associate professionals (54%), managers (50%), and professionals (50%).

In particular, technological obsolescence has significantly impacted ICT technicians (67%), ICT professionals (60%), and science and engineering technicians (55%).

As automation and artificial intelligence continue to advance, the pressure on employment and the resulting inequality may only intensify.

The deployment of these technologies could lead to a significant shift in the job market, raising questions about the future of work and the need for human labor.?

However, it is crucial to consider the various factors influencing the adoption of automation, such as cost, labor supply and demand dynamics, benefits beyond labor substitution, and regulatory and social issues.

While the impact of technology on jobs is a complex and often debated topic, rapid ICT change is a significant driver of workplace knowledge obsolescence.

Addressing this challenge requires a multi-faceted approach involving corporate knowledge management, employee training, and government policies supporting adaptation to technological change.

This newsletter referenced the study by Henrik Schneider, Research Fellow, The Berkman Center for Internet & Society, Harvard Law School.