There is no doubt that technology has completely transformed the labor market. It’s only been less than half a decade since the pandemic struck and many workforce structures have since undergone a sweeping revolution, essentially changing what it means to be professionals in this age. Today, remote work, automation and artificial intelligence are the order of the day. And ultimately, not only have these new technologies determined the future of work, but they have caused new skills to be in demand.
Are you curious about what is changing in the work environment and would like to stay in the loop to gain some competitive advantage? In this article, specialist Kate Richardson outlines five ways technology will change the way people work and opportunities for reskilling. In addition, she considers important factors altering traditional job structures and the growing need for remote professionals.
That said, let’s explore the five key ways that AI and automation are changing the future of work in 2024 and beyond.
Accelerating Remote Work
The very first trend that technology has heralded, perhaps escalated by the COVID-19 pandemic, is remote work. Otherwise known as “work from home,” this system prioritizes employees contributing to the organisation from whatever location they are in across the world.
In furtherance of remote work policies, companies are adopting new technology such as virtual collaboration platforms, automated time trackers and innovative project management software. These tools will allow workers to contribute seamlessly to the world of work without the stress of commuting. On the other hand, it offers an opportunity to employers to fulfill their demand for highly skilled workers from across the globe since they can all work from the comfort of their locations.
According to research from the Harvard Business Review, senior executives at about 500 U.S. businesses expect that hybrid and fully virtual employees will steadily increase at their firms between 2023 and 2028. With this projection, there’s no denying that business processes will rely on special tech to successfully run remote work. Below are some major ways technology may have to advance to meet up with the rise in virtual work.
Cybersecurity
As remote work becomes more prevalent, concerns about cybersecurity will also rise to the fore. Businesses are more susceptible to hackers when professionals access private information from home networks. To reduce these threats, cybersecurity solutions driven by AI are necessary.
Most companies will look to provide training and inculcate necessary skillsets in their employees to make better cybersecurity decisions. Remote teams that also depend on shared platforms and cloud-based tools will need sophisticated management systems that can detect threats using data-driven automation and reduce the possibility of harm.
Robotics
Robotics is playing an increasingly significant role in enabling remote workers to thrive in their use of technology. Its most obvious use case is with workers who face mobility challenges. Robotic technologies can help such employees operate machinery, participate in otherwise restrictive industries and even maintain a “presence” in their offices without being physically there.
Virtual Reality
While virtual reality headsets have been most famous for their role in gaming, their impact on remote work is undeniable. As it stands, we’re still in the earliest phases of the use of virtual and augmented reality. However, in the near future, VR can create an immersive environment for corporate meetings and reduce the need for in-person interactions. Some professionals can also leverage its possibilities for workplace collaboration, training and skillset development.
Automation of Routine Tasks Through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning will change the Future
Technology continues to fulfill its main aim of reducing human burden, and one of the ways it achieves that is through automation technologies. At the very heart of automation and AI is using technology to perform routine and repetitive tasks, thereby freeing up human workers to focus on more complex tasks.
A good example of this use case is with chatbots. Gartner predicts that 80% of customer support companies will be adopting generative AI-based solutions by 2025. This is a welcome development, especially considering that AI-powered automation reduces the risk of human error while also making better decisions on everyday tasks.
Redefining Job Roles and Skills for the Future of Work
Not only will robotic process automation make regular activities easier to perform, the technology will create new roles in the near future.
The future is calling for a collaborative relationship between humans and AI, and most employers will need workers who can keep up with the latest digital technologies. Essentially, while using AI will help analyze big data and undertake complex work, humans who can think creatively and apply emotional intelligence in ways that artificial intelligence and machine learning cannot will be in high demand.
For instance, in a sector like the sports betting industry, AI can prove useful in analyzing market trends, setting fixtures and fixing odds. However, it cannot yet replace human effort in marketing and management. In a country like Kenya which is one of the few nations leading the digital revolution, the best bookies have been found to be those that perfectly exploit the human-technology connection.
Gambling, including sports betting activity, has been legal in Kenya as far back as 1966. And with an adult population of about 32.5 million people, the industry has been burgeoning ever since. The introduction of advanced technology saw an even greater boost in the industry, with the sector expected to hit revenues of $39.45 million by the end of 2024. So, without a doubt, there is a growing competition in the market and companies are using AI as a differentiation tactic.
That’s why renowned tipsters like MightyTips in their Kenyan bookie recommendations typically spotlight platforms that utilize AI algorithms as well as human effort in their services. At these sites, you can enjoy access to fair betting odds, mobile services and emotionally intelligent customer support as a perfect description of the future of the workplace in that industry.
Enhancing Productivity and Efficiency
It was Paul J. Meyer who quipped, “Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.”
An important part of planning towards productivity in the future is the adoption of forward-thinking technology.
The potential of automation and artificial intelligence to increase productivity is among their most important benefits. AI-powered productivity solutions are revolutionary for remote workers. Workers are becoming invaluable assets to their companies because of AI-assisted coding platforms, automated reporting tools, and intelligent scheduling apps that enable them to produce high-quality outputs more quickly.
Additionally, compared to humans, automated systems can complete activities more quickly and accurately, which lowers errors and saves time. Businesses therefore increase operations while cutting expenses thanks to the efficiency hack that future technologies afford.
Promoting Work-Life Balance and Flexibility
A Deloitte survey recently revealed that about 77% of employees have once experienced burnout at their current workplaces. If nothing at all, this underscores the importance of employees to attend to their personal needs as well. With AI, automation, and cloud-based platforms, employees can now design their schedules to fit personal needs, reducing the stress of rigid office hours.
Scheduling tools can automatically optimize workflows, ensuring that employees are not overwhelmed with back-to-back tasks. And in the same vein, the proliferation of wellness apps can encourage healthy habits among workers, ultimately promoting all-round well-being.
Employees will also need to take initiative to use these technologies to improve their working lives. As Matthew Kelly, Author of Off Balance, said, “Work-life balance is not an entitlement or benefit. Your company cannot give it to you. You have to create it for yourself.”
Concluding Remarks: How Business Leaders Can Leverage Technology Advancement to Prepare for the Future
Finally, technological advancement has its advantages and potential demerits. Many believe that it would lead to mass scale job displacement. Others think it will create new jobs and trigger upskilling among staff.
Ultimately, the extent to which technologies can change the world of work depend on how business leaders approach them. Chief executives and decision makers while embracing emerging tech should also focus on collaboration, creativity and flexibility. That way, both technologies will be appropriately used as a tool to empower human workers to reach their full potential.
