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The future of work: is your job safe?
- Automation and artificial intelligence are projected to cause the displacement of 45% of current jobs, with 75 million jobs expected to be lost globally by 2022, though potentially offset by the creation of 133 million new roles.
- By 2035, one billion location-independent workers are predicted, and 70% of professionals worldwide are expected to perform some work remotely, potentially driving growth in co-working spaces where 90% of users report increased happiness and 80% report higher engagement.
- Governments and organizations are planning for this shift, including Estonia's special visa allowing location-independent workers to stay for a year, Kenya's plan to train one million young people for the digital workforce, and the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain's intention to mount legal challenges against gig economy companies.
- Concerns regarding the gig economy include fears that basic employment rights are being denied to most workers, leading to a "dog-eat-dog world," increased inequality, and the spread of bogus contracts into sectors such as cleaning, retail, and banking.
- Workplace monitoring is anticipated to become common, with 70% of workers believing it will occur in the future, while over 60% believe such surveillance will fuel distrust and discrimination, posing potential threats if surveillance data is misused.
- Technological advances are expected to automate specific tasks, including self-driving trucks and robots for mass food production, while societal reactions to these changes and how leaders respond to inevitable disruptions will determine the long-term success of the new working landscape.
- The transition to these new work models involves risks of dystopian unemployment futures and persistent insecurities, though travel is considered a sustainable lifestyle when approached intelligently, and specific individuals are adapting through career changes, further education, or digital nomadism.