Bleep off. Workplace devices interrupt people every fifteen minutes

Bleep off. Workplace devices interrupt people every fifteen minutes

by • News, Technology, Wellbeing

The majority of employees and managers surveyed agree that companies are not effectively addressing the issue of digital noise - the way apps and devices interrupt people constantly.A new poll from Unily, claims to highlight the negative impact digital notifications have on wellbeing and productivity. The majority of employees and managers surveyed agree that companies are not effectively addressing the issue of digital noise – the way apps and devices interrupt people constantly. According to the Digital Noise Impact Report [registration], nearly half of all employees are distracted at least once every 30 minutes, and almost a third report being distracted at least once every 15 minutes by a workplace notification. That means employees working 8-hour days could be experiencing over 160 distractions from their workplace digital tools each week. More →

Europe lacks skills in key technologies such as AI, quantum and space

Europe lacks skills in key technologies such as AI, quantum and space

by • AI, News, Technology

Critical gaps have formed across the technology sector in Europe, with skills, investment and innovation being stunted in vital areas such as AI, quantum computing and space technologyCritical gaps have formed across Europe’s technology sector, with skills, investment and innovation being stunted in vital areas such as AI, quantum computing and space technology, according to a report from DIGITALEUROPE. The study titled ‘The EU’s Critical Gap: Rethinking Economic Security to Put Europe Back on the Map,’ claims that Europe is significantly lagging in key technologies. Among 8 technologies that were analysed, Europe was shown to be lagging behind in 7, only leading in advanced connectivity, with major investments and profits in this sector are being led primarily by the US. More →

Right now, GenAI mostly produces cheap grey goo for a perpetual present

Right now, GenAI mostly produces cheap grey goo for a perpetual present

by • AI, Comment, Technology

The main effect of GenAI right now is to reproduce stuff that is more or less indistinguishable from what already exists at no cost to businessesI keep hearing that Generative AI will unleash human creativity. Based on the contents of my inbox, I can tell you that is not yet the case. It is increasingly full of GenAI generated press releases and comment pieces that consist of a small amount of gibberish, a larger quantity of stuff that reads likes it’s been written by a non-native speaker, and an even larger amount of bland, clichéd C0nTeNt.    More →

A new generation of workplace apps is transforming people’s experience of work

A new generation of workplace apps is transforming people’s experience of work

by • Facilities management, Features, Technology, Workplace design

These days, workplace apps promise a much more sophisticated experience, which can be accessed in the palm of your handDisseminating information about a building to the people who occupy it has come a long way from a basic, intranet desktop interface with warnings about wet floors or notices about charity fundraising. These days, workplace apps promise a much more sophisticated experience, which can be accessed in the palm of your hand. Gartner has a useful definition of workplace apps’ capabilities, stating, “They are used to explore and reserve workspaces, navigate the workplace, find colleagues, plan the best days to attend the workplace, access services and ensure that employees could feel safe in a future post pandemic workplace.” More →

We need to find better ways to communicate and connect with customers in a distracted world

We need to find better ways to communicate and connect with customers in a distracted world

by • Comment, Technology

By embracing this shift and consistently delivering value and relevance to customers, businesses can thrive in a distracted worldAmongst the demands of our daily tasks, one huge challenge that often goes unnoticed: constant messages from communication platforms at every turnaround. The volume of distractions bombarding professionals is staggering. Studies show that from endless Slack notifications and video calls these interruptions disrupt workflow and concentration. This makes it incredibly challenging to navigate through the sea of digital noise. With over 157 hours lost to unproductive workplace alerts each year, the impact on productivity is undeniable. More →

What happens to work when the machine stops?

What happens to work when the machine stops?

by • Comment, Flexible working, Technology

Newton at work

In 1909, E M Forster – not exactly known for a body of work replete with dystopian fiction – published a novella called The Machine Stops. You can read it here but the story describes a future in which people live below ground, in isolation but with all their needs met by an omnipresent Machine (you can see where this is going). More →

How Gulliver’s Travels predicted AI and our attempts to make sense of it all

How Gulliver’s Travels predicted AI and our attempts to make sense of it all

by • AI, Comment, Technology

Gullivers Travels includes a description of a machine that woks very like modern AI systems, and with the same drawbacksGulliver’s Travels is one of those books we assume we know. But what we tend to recall is some stuff about Lilliput, giants, talking horses and possibly something about scientists trying to extract sunbeams from cucumbers. It’s really about one man’s descent into disillusion with the human race. It is acerbic, occasionally tediously detailed, and offers insight into some aspects of the human condition, which makes it timeless. More →

Workplace AI usage is rocketing, but are people using it for the right things?

Workplace AI usage is rocketing, but are people using it for the right things?

by • AI, News, Technology, Workplace

Two thirds of people now use AI at work, with44 percent of office workers saying they are 'enthusiastic 'about using workplace AI in their daily tasksThe latest Workforce Index from Slack claims there has been a significant rise in AI usage in UK workplaces. Since September 2023, there’s been a 66 percent increase, with an additional 18 percent jump since the beginning of 2024. This trend reflects growing enthusiasm among employees about the technology, with 44 percent of office workers saying they are ‘enthusiastic ‘about using workplace AI in their daily tasks. However, the survey also uncovers potential problems with wider AI acceptance. Many employees may not have the right training to fully benefit from AI’s potential.  Instead of using the time saved by AI for strategic activities or skill development, most workers say they plan to prioritise administrative tasks. More →

Mismatched technology may be driving down productivity

Mismatched technology may be driving down productivity

by • News, Technology

A new poll from Apogee Corporation claims that current workplace environments are failing to cater to different personality types, leading to significant collaboration challenges, reduced productivity and potentially driving away 'talent'A new poll from Apogee Corporation claims that current workplace environments are failing to cater to different personality types, leading to significant collaboration challenges, reduced productivity and potentially driving away ‘talent’. The survey of 1,001 UK employees in mid-sized businesses suggests that 79 percent of workers struggle with meeting technology when collaborating with colleagues. This is particularly detrimental to extroverts, with 84 percent reporting a drop in productivity while working remotely. More →

A brief history of the future of work

A brief history of the future of work

by • Features, Flexible working, Technology, Working culture

The future of work has always existed but never arrives. It is best seen as a way of thinking about current and emerging issues The past few years and our current predicaments should serves as a reminder of that tragic, unchangeable feature of the human condition, best expressed by Kierkegaard, that we are doomed to live our lives forwards but only understand them backwards. Retrospect is particularly important when we look back on sudden, large changes that knock us off our normal path. It’s important to remember this as we continue to grapple with the nature of the present and future of work in the wake of the pandemic. More →

People must take the lead on hybrid working to drive highest returns

People must take the lead on hybrid working to drive highest returns

by • Flexible working, News, Technology

A new report from workplace technology provider Eptura suggests that employee-led hybrid working models and connected technology drive the highest returns for businessesA new report from workplace technology provider Eptura suggests that employee-led hybrid working models and connected technology drive the highest returns for businesses. According to its first half 2024 Workplace Index report [registration], companies with hybrid working models in which employees can choose when to come to the office are seeing the most benefit. This is because employees who work effectively in the office can generate an average revenue increase of 3-8 percent. The study also claims that globally, employees are now spending an average of 3 days a week in the office, with the biggest increase being seen in the Asia-Pacific region. The most common days for office attendance remain Tuesday through Thursday. More →

MIT professor pours cold water on the prevailing hype about AI and the economy

MIT professor pours cold water on the prevailing hype about AI and the economy

by • AI, News, Technology

A study by MIT economist Daron Acemoglu appears to challenge the prevailing optimism surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and its economic impactA study by MIT economist Daron Acemoglu appears to challenge the prevailing optimism surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and its economic impact. While many experts predict a future fuelled by AI-driven productivity booms and reduced inequality, Acemoglu’s research paints a more cautious picture. His findings suggest that AI’s impact on productivity and inequality may be far less dramatic than anticipated, and could even exacerbate the gap between the rich and the poor. More →

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