Workplace trends 2022 – Humans, machines, and changing labour relationships
Workplace trends 2022 – Humans, machines, and changing labour relationships
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1. Hybrid workspaces
2020 and 2021 were characterised by lockdowns. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses had to adapt to remote working situations to ensure operational continuity. And with this foundation in place, 2022 will be the year of hybrid workspaces.
Manifesting as a mix of employees working from a central company office and
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1. Hybrid workspaces
those working remotely from their places of residence, hybrid workspaces mark a fundamental change in how we’ve worked together over the last few decades. Many employees will manage responsibilities and complete tasks from the comfort and convenience of their homes, only coming together for situations that require a higher level of collaboration.
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2. Set out to automate the simple things
We’re already seeing AI-based automation being deployed in digital and communication spaces. Though a very rudimentary application of a technology that has almost limitless potential, two common ways that businesses are engaging with automation are through chatbots, and automated email and web-based services.
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2. Set out to automate the simple things
Designed to carry out basic functions, such as addressing customer queries and data-related requests, companies can ‘train’ chatbots to respond to specific statements and questions based on interactions determined by the specific product and service offerings of a business.
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3. Jobs may be replaced, but new ones will be gained
With the proliferation of machine-based automation comes questions regarding its diminishment or replacement of human labour. Today’s automation targets a specific kind of work – that which involves strict routine, structured data, or rule-based tasks.
From filing in application forms to the verification of information,
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3. Jobs may be replaced, but new ones will be gained
these are the kinds of jobs that are ideal for AI-automated processes. Although these jobs may be replaced, with automation comes growth in employment opportunities surrounding the application of this technology. There will always be a need for humans to interact with other humans, to create new things
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3. Jobs may be replaced, but new ones will be gained
and solve problems, and have empathy for customers.
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4. Education, upskilling, and business collaboration
Increased work opportunities in fields related to IT and machine learning mean that our education focus must evolve in response to these demands. Whereas in the past a company may have had one or two people involved in IT, now they may benefit from three to four people in that function.