What I Learned - The Future of the Professions

I have been at a number of legal events at which Richard Susskind has spoken over the years. As a self-styled Futurist for the legal profession, at his excellent presentations, there was always an alarmist sense of dramatic change about to befall us, and as professionals we needed to wake up and learn to evolve.

Whilst the changes he foretold have not perhaps taken place at the speed he suggested, there is no doubt that change is here and even the legal profession is having to examine its business model, service delivery and embrace technology to compete.

I have had this book for a while now but never managed to get into it, until this summer and below are a few key take aways:

Richard and his son Daniel Susskind explore how technological advancements are transforming the nature of professional work. The authors argue that traditional professions—such as law, medicine, education, and accounting—are undergoing a fundamental shift. This change is driven by the rapid development of artificial intelligence, big data, and other digital technologies that are making expert knowledge more accessible and affordable to the public. Whilst many believe this to be a big law problem, there is no doubt that it is filtering to firms of all sizes now.

The Susskind’s outline two possible futures for professions. In the book The first is a continuation of the status quo, where professionals use technology to enhance their work but maintain their central role in delivering expertise. The second, more radical scenario is the "decomposition" of the professions, where technology replaces traditional roles, breaking down expert knowledge into component parts that can be delivered more efficiently by machines or laypeople using digital platforms.

They argue that the traditional model of expertise—where professionals serve as gatekeepers of specialized knowledge—is unsustainable in the long term. They suggest that instead of clinging to outdated methods, professionals should embrace completely new ways of working that leverage technology to provide more accessible, efficient, and transparent services.

This transition raises important ethical and societal questions for which we are unprepared. The book discusses concerns about the loss of human judgment, the potential for job displacement, and the need for new regulatory frameworks to ensure that technology serves the public interest.

Given the vital role that professional services play in society this requires careful regulation and review and is thought of as too radical by many.

Ultimately, The Future of the Professions is a call to action for professionals to rethink their roles in society. Are we ready to accept this challenge?