Today, we’re stuck in the past, at least in some ways. We have no choice but to go to work every day (at least if we want to make money). And while there are plenty of opportunities to create our own schedules and set our own priorities, we’re still bound by our employers and their needs. But what if that could change? What would the workplace look like in the future? To explore this question, I turned to futurist Jason Dyer, who has been teaching people about the future of work for the last decade or so.
A job hunt in the 80’s vs today
The job hunt has changed a lot since we first started applying for positions in the 1980s. The best way to illustrate this is with a comparison: what it was like then, and what it’s like now.
In the 80’s, it wasn’t uncommon to find yourself waiting by the phone for that promised call back from your potential employer. Your resume might have been great, but if you were unlucky enough to be out of town when they called, you had no chance at landing an interview.
Artificial intelligence will change everything
AI will replace humans in many jobs, but it will also create new ones that we can’t even imagine today. Robots and AI will get smarter and smarter as time goes on, so you’ll be able to do more with less effort – provided you have a job that is not replaced by automation.
Companies Will Experiment with Folding
The first company to experiment with this idea is called Foldspace, a startup that provides on-demand storage space for your things when you’re not at home. The company’s founders believe that by offering people a new way to store their possessions, they can help alleviate some of the stress related to living with limited space and resources and make our cities more livable for everyone.
Virtual Reality will allow everyone to work from home
Some jobs require being on site and cannot be done remotely or virtually, but it does seem possible that in the future, everyone will be able to work from home.
Leadership roles will depend on ability, not gender or race
In the 2050s, leadership roles will depend on ability, not gender or race. The only limiting factors will be a person’s knowledge, skills and experience. This means that people who may have been limited by society’s norms previously can now grow to their full potential without barriers.
Robots could replace some human workers
Numerous studies predict that robots and AI will be taking over many jobs traditionally held by humans, including customer service, manufacturing and even medical care. In fact, a recent study predicts that almost half of American jobs are at risk of being automated in the next 20 years.
The rise of freelancing careers
Freelancing careers are on the rise and becoming increasingly popular as a form of employment for people who want to work remotely, have flexible hours, or simply be their own boss. More than 60% of freelancers are now working full-time, and many of them have turned their side hustle into a full-time business that supports not only themselves but also their families.
