Future of Work

The future of work is now. The increasing frequency and magnitude of economic, social and political disruptions, along with rapid advances in disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) are constantly changing how and where work is done.

Employers are rethinking their work models. They’re transforming work by accelerating automation, diversifying talent sources and becoming more flexible to better meet employee and business demands.

The future of work emphasizes agility, resilience, innovation and technological advancements such as AI, which are fundamentally altering the relationships between work, workforce and workplace.

Transforming work through automation and AI

The digital revolution is reshaping our work experiences as automation and AI become vital components of work.

A major change is the rise of agentic AI, which is now completing tasks that people once handled. Agentic AI’s ability to make decisions and act with minimal human intervention is challenging traditional employment models and requiring the development of new ways to manage workforces.

This work transformation presents remarkable opportunities for efficiency and growth. It also raises concerns about job security and the necessity of ongoing learning and upskilling.

Offering learning and development opportunities

Continuous learning and development are vital in the future of work. As technology progresses, all workers must keep their skills updated to stay competitive. Employers that prioritize training and development will improve employee experience while also bolstering agility and innovation, empowering their workforce to adapt to technological changes.

In this future work environment, the following skills are essential:

• Digital literacy
• Critical thinking
• Emotional intelligence

As agentic AI takes on roles traditionally held by people, employees with these skills will be better suited to adapting and learning new competencies and skills that further enhance their ability to use new technologies.

Cultivating different models of work

The workplace of the future will feature a range of talent and work arrangements, including full-time employees, contingent and gig workers. Working collaboratively, this mix of workers will drive creativity and innovation.

Flexible work models like hybrid and fully remote are increasingly important as employees seek better work-life balance.

Employers who adapt to these changing expectations by offering flexible work options will be well positioned to attract and retain top talent.

Fostering a supportive workplace culture

As hybrid and remote work models become standard, workplace culture will evolve. Creating a supportive workplace culture that prioritizes employee wellbeing and mental health are crucial in the workplace of the future.

As AI assumes more tasks, it's important for employers to address the emotional and psychological effects on employees. Employers that cultivate a supportive atmosphere where all workers feel valued and secure will improve both employee and organizational resilience.

By integrating technology, redesigning spaces and emphasizing wellbeing, employers can create a future workplace that supports diverse work arrangements and fosters success while addressing the workforce challenges associated with agentic AI.

Addressing future-of-work risks

While the future of work promises opportunities for improved productivity, it also presents several risks that employers need to address, including:

• Cyber risk: Between increasing automation, AI and remote or flexible work, the risk of cyberattack and information security increases. Employers need strong governance to reduce these risks
• AI risk: Agentic AI needs thoughtful rules and boundaries and requires close monitoring. Generative AI can hallucinate and plagiarize, resulting in legal risk. AI tools require careful governance to reduce AI risks
• Business disruption: New work models and technologies may disrupt traditional business operations
• Errors and omissions: As employees adapt to new roles and responsibilities, the risk of errors and omissions increase
• Regulatory risk: Non-compliance with labor and tax laws is also a risk, especially with the rise of gig economy and remote work
• Employment practices liability: New work models may inadvertently exclude certain groups

To sustain new ways of working, you need to anticipate how your decisions could change your risk profile and manage exposures while capturing the opportunities inherent in the future of work.

Creating a resilient and adaptive future of work

Employers that invest in employee experience, cultivate supportive cultures and govern emerging technologies responsibly will reduce risk and unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation. By strengthening resilience against geopolitical and technological disruptions, employers can build a future of work that is both sustainable and empowering.