The future of work is already among us. With the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation across various sectors, the job market is undergoing a major transformation. More and more companies are seeking professionals with a set of skills that go beyond technical abilities and make them more adaptable to an increasingly digital and complex world.
In this reality accompanied by the most advanced technological means, there is no longer a separation between the human side and the digital. In other words, tools and software gain the status of team members, not just mere means to achieve objectives and goals. The trend, as we observe, is that we will increasingly see a metamorphosis of roles and responsibilities, as well as the emergence of teams composed of humans and AI, thus challenging traditional organizational structures and ways of working.
Such a scenario leads to many debates about the possible economic challenges of technology for companies and workers. Some say that the economic importance of human labor will become less relevant with the advances in AI, which will take on a greater number of tasks in the coming years. Within this logic, many socioeconomic aspects will be addressed, such as the devaluation of skills, income distribution, and the creation of new economic structures.
I don't place myself in this field as somewhat pessimistic. We are still far from an AI fully capable of performing important functions, whether in the job market or in life in general. She still produces many incorrect contents, even with increasingly robust language models. What makes it powerful is its association with the human mind, capable of curating and endorsing the results produced by this and other technologies. Without the human aspect, we can end up with a bunch of tools that are of limited or little use.
For those who, like me, recognize that the future of work has already arrived, it's worth emphasizing what's coming next. AI or technology will not take anyone's jobs; we should eliminate this kind of thinking. However, this new reality around the market requires a new set of skills, regardless of your area of expertise. Therefore, by developing these skills, you will be better prepared to face the challenges and seize the opportunities that the working world offers.
There are numbers to help illustrate what I mean. One in ten professionals hired this year holds a position that did not exist 24 years ago, according to asearchfrom LinkedIn, which mentions common roles today such as Sustainability Manager, AI Engineer, Data Scientist, Social Media Manager and Customer Success Manager, but which were not the most well-known, sought-after (or even existing) in 2000.
The main companies in the world understand this. A series of CEOs interviewed in asearchIBM stated that people make and will continue to make all the difference in their businesses, but at least 35% of the workforce will need to undergo retraining and requalification processes in the next three years – a significant increase compared to the 6% recorded three years ago. In other words, we're not just talking about productivity gains and cost reductions when we think about AI.
Another proof that the future of work – or perhaps here also the work of the future – is a strategic imminence is the lack of qualified professionals in some fields of the economy and business. Because of this, just as important as investing in the training of those already in your organization is becoming a "talent magnet," and for that, initiatives such as trust in leadership, remote and hybrid work opportunities, compensation, and actions in favor of careers and diversity are considered relevant.
Some studies point to success cases for those who, in the corporate environment, are willing to be flexible, resilient, and capable of transforming themselves. According to areportAlmost 30% of listed companies are successful in adopting work models focused on innovation, with cutting-edge technologies and a flexible, distributed workforce. These companies have 30% lower operational expenses, thanks to automation and improved processes, with positive financial gains for 57% of them.
Like all change, it can often be uncertain and cause a series of fears. The same LinkedIn survey says that 49% of workers fear falling behind, with 64% stating they are overwhelmed by the pace of changes at work (in Brazil, this figure rises to 87%). However, the number of professionals seeking additional courses and qualifications is also on the rise – 79% of Brazilians highlight this pursuit in their fields.
AI is rapidly transforming the way we interact with technology and complex problems. Equally important as the dilemmas related to its regulation and governance is the significance of human work, a piece that will remain as the cornerstone in this equation that incorporates digital power and basic human values. In this way, skills will remain in high demand, as long as there is a willingness to reinvent oneself.
