Future Of Work is a topic that is taking an increasing mind-share in global macro-economic thinking. The primary driver for the discussion is the increased use of advanced technologies (like AI, robotics, cloud, analytics, nanotechnology, quantum computing, 3D/4D printing, Internet of Things, blockchain, self-driving vehicles, etc. and synergies among these) that will result in a reduced need for humans in the workplace. The future of work then is closely intertwined with the rapid evolution of technology. Beyond technology, several other factors are already underway, widening the economic gap between the rich and the poor, concentration of wealth amongst corporations and nations.
The above challenges, if unaddressed, could result in political, social, and economic chaos where there is a rapid deterioration of the global order with a massive increase in unemployment. The Millennium project estimates that if the current system stays the same, then half of the world would be unemployed by 2050.
To better prepare the world from the possible chaos, different stakeholders, like the Government, Businesses, Educational and skilling institutes, Science and technology research establishments, and Arts and culture institutes, have to work in tandem. Collaborative action could result in an outcome that the Millennium project calls – the Self-Actualization Economy, where there is a shift from an employment culture to one characterized by self-employment and universal basic income etc.
For our part at I2I, as a responsible business, we want to create ethical and social value in addition to material and economic value. This essence is captured strongly in our tagline of ‘distributing future evenly’ and values of Diversity and Empathy. Further, we incorporate the following into our operating and business model:
1. Empowering talent in smaller towns, investing in future skills development, and creating employment opportunities in small towns themselves
2.Collaborating with educational and skilling institutions in smaller towns to help update their curriculum and direct them towards future skills
3.Operate our company as a professional network rather than one with static hierarchies
4.Investing in the platform for skills mapping, tracking, and development
5. A developing platform that helps self-employed skilled talent to offer services in an on-demand fashion
These tenets help us contribute towards developing a resilient world that is better positioned to take advantage of advancing technologies while advancing the development of a more equitable world.