Humans Plus Technology

Emerging technologies that enable automation of tasks are changing the skills demanded in the workplace, and the tasks we perform. The pace and scale of changes brought on by the fourth industrial revolution, as well as changing demographics, and climate change, mean that we are facing an upskilling emergency in the global labor force. Key trend areas considered are enhanced humans; old jobs and new skills; new technologies that create new work; and the phenomena of deskilling.

As generative AI, such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, enjoy unprecedented user engagement, the durable skills required for success in the professional world are shifting. Until now, the voices contributing to the public discourse on the future of work rarely include those who will actually do the work. This book shares youth perspectives on specific cases of how technology is changing the tasks we perform in our everyday jobs, and the new skills that are needed to thrive in a “human + technology” workplace.

Around the world youth are entering the workforce during an era of artificial intelligence and unpresented disruption. The contributors to this volume are global, relevant, and have a vested interest in the outcomes. They bring fresh perspectives, industry-relevant knowledge, and cautious optimism for keeping pace with future technology while maintaining our humanity.