Rethinking Work in the Age of AI

The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies are reshaping our world in unprecedented ways. Over the last few weeks, I spent time at the World Summit AI in Amsterdam, including hosting an executive, round-table breakfast meeting, attended the Microsoft AI Tour in London, along with a few days of reflective hiking and this gave me a profound sense of the scale of change AI is driving. If AI is indeed the game changer that we believe it to be, we, as a society and species, must be prepared to change our game to meet the challenges and opportunities it presents.

AI and other emerging technologies aren't the only concerns. We also face geopolitical conflict, climate change, market monopolies, social polarization, declining population growth, and increasing lifespans. While Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has long been the standard metric for economic growth and productivity, it is increasingly clear that it does not capture the full picture of societal well-being or sustainability. GDP primarily reflects economic activity without accounting for the negative impacts such as environmental degradation, social inequality, and depletion of natural resources. This reliance on GDP can lead to policies that prioritize short-term economic gains over long-term sustainability and quality of life. To address these, we must rethink five priorities: learning, work, health, inclusion, and sustainability.

Work

One of the most significant areas where AI will have an impact is on the nature of work and how we measure productivity. As we navigate the future of work, we are going to need to evaluate our relationship with work itself. Traditional notions of work are changing, much of our thinking around ‘work’ is still grounded in the industrial revolution. We are trained for a role, perform that role for our working lifetime, then retire, typically when we begin to lose the physical strength to continue to perform. Much of this has no relevance in the modern world. Maybe, in the future, we will have two or three different careers, maybe in parallel, throughout our working life and as our relationship with work evolves, so too must our approach to learning

Learning

If our relationship with work changes then the traditional education system, designed for the industrial age and based around preparation for work, is no longer sufficient to prepare us for the rapidly changing world, especially where many future roles have not yet been thought about. Lifelong learning will become the norm, necessitating continual reskilling and upskilling throughout one's career. As well as thinking about how we learn, we need to rethink what we learn, focusing on developing creativity, critical thinking and research methods, problem-solving, and digital literacy and ethics. If AI helps us become more productive maybe this gives an opportunity to possibly return to tertiary education for a year every decade and train for a new career.

Health and Longevity

We are living longer, but not necessarily better. In the quest to enhance the quality of life, the focus on health must shift from reactive to proactive approaches. Rather than investing heavily in curing or reducing the impact of disease states we need to balance this with investments in avoidance strategies, including regular health screenings, personalized nutrition plans, and lifestyle modifications tailored to individual genetic profiles. This shift towards preventive care not only enhances life expectancy but also reduces the burden on healthcare systems by minimizing the incidence of chronic diseases.

Inclusion

AI and technology have the potential to bridge gaps and create opportunities on a global scale, but only if we consciously work towards inclusivity. It is imperative that we address the digital divide and ensure that the benefits of technology are implemented safely and responsibly. The benefits of AI must be accessible to everybody, regardless of geographic location, socioeconomic status, or background. One significant challenge is that GDP does not measure the distribution of income within a country, leaving out the disparities that can lead to social unrest and economic instability. Additionally, GDP growth often correlates with increased consumption of natural resources and higher carbon emissions, exacerbating climate change.

Sustainability

As we rethink sustainability, it's vital to reconsider our relationship with the planet, especially given the energy demands of modern technology. The environmental impact of powering large-scale systems is significant, requiring a shift to renewable energy, better energy efficiency, and low-power tech. We must ensure global equity in these advancements. By prioritizing sustainability in technology, we can reduce its environmental footprint and advance without harming our planet's health. Additionally, we must ensure that increasing productivity through technology does not lead to environmental degradation or societal harm, balancing progress with responsible stewardship.

Conclusion

In summary, as we confront the transformative power of AI and emerging technologies, it's crucial to reassess our priorities in work, learning, health, and inclusion. By embracing these changes thoughtfully, we can harness AI's potential to create a more equitable and prosperous future for all.

We must commit to lifelong learning, adapting our educational systems to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving job market. We need to prioritize preventive healthcare to enhance our quality of life and reduce the burden on our healthcare systems. Inclusivity should be at the core of our technological advancements, ensuring that no one is left behind. And we must adopt sustainable practices to protect our planet for future generations.