Search Results for: society

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…)

Dear [employee]…Great job!  Why AI may not give you the warm and fuzzies

Dear [employee]…Great job!  Why AI may not give you the warm and fuzzies

by • AI, Comment, SF, Workplace

Gratitude is one of the most underutilised yet most appreciated rewards within the workplace. So why get an AI to say thanks for you?I recently completed an ‘Artificial Intelligence Essentials’ course, designed to introduce me to the world of AI tools and help me become more productive and efficient in my work. As someone who is borderline-obsessed with AI and undertaking every AI course going, I couldn’t sign up quickly enough. Also, I confess, I am a total sucker for all things ‘perfect planner’, be that journal or software; any talk of productivity tools and I’m in. (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…)

Some questions about AI, a world drowning in content and the human centipede of creativity

Some questions about AI, a world drowning in content and the human centipede of creativity

by • AI, Comment, Technology

 

We still don't even know what questions to ask about AI, so the idea we can provide answers is a bit premature

One unintended but welcome result of the new fixation with AI is that many of the people who became experts on the workplace in 2020 are now experts on AI. You’ll find them on social media and they’ll have written a book about it by May to sit on the shelf alongside the one about hybrid working and The Great Resignation. So, if you want some certainty about where generative AI taking us, go talk to one of them because people who know about the subject seem to have little or no idea or raise even more questions. (more…)

International report calls for collaboration on AI, highlighting both benefits and risks

International report calls for collaboration on AI, highlighting both benefits and risks

by • AI, News, Technology

A landmark report claims to shed light on the double-edged sword of advanced artificial intelligence (AI)A landmark report claims to shed light on the double-edged sword of advanced artificial intelligence. Backed by over 30 nations, the International Scientific Report on the Safety of Advanced AI paints a picture of a technology brimming with potential benefits, but also fraught with potential risks if safety isn’t prioritized. This first iteration of the report, launched at the AI Safety Summit, fulfils a key commitment set forth during the historic Bletchley Park discussions and the subsequent Bletchley Declaration. (more…)

Daylight Award ceremony announces two new laureates

Daylight Award ceremony announces two new laureates

by • Facilities management, News, Wellbeing, Workplace design

On the UNESCO International Day of Light, The Daylight Award announces the 2024 laureates: Spanish architect and professor, Alberto Campo Baeza for his architecture, and German professor of chronobiology Till Roenneberg, for his research. The two categories of The Daylight Award – scientific research and architectural design – recognise a duality with the aim of directing knowledge, based on research at the highest level, to the benefit of architectural thinking and practice. Research has created a scientific grounding for the use of daylight in architecture. – states the jury. (more…)

We must embrace AI for sustainable workforce transformation

We must embrace AI for sustainable workforce transformation

by • AI, Comment, Technology

Some say AI will take on “80 percent of the jobs that exist today”, but history has shown that technological advancements have consistently led to the creation of new job rolesEach technological revolution has gotten faster; and the era of Artificial Intelligence is accelerating at an unprecedented rate—an intimidating prospect, given Musk’s recent prediction of AI surpassing human intelligence. Some say the tech will take on “80 percent of the jobs that exist today”, but history has shown that technological advancements have consistently led to the creation of new job roles, elevating the standard of living and improving overall productivity. (more…)

Firms growing concerned about increase in litigation

Firms growing concerned about increase in litigation

by • News, Workplace

 

Seven in ten (71 percent) UK businesses are concerned about rising business litigation, with nearly three quarters (72 percent) reporting an increase in cases brought against their companies over the past five years and three in five (60 percent) anticipating a further rise over the next 12 months, according to a new poll from insurance broker Gallagher. The multi-sector survey of 764 business leaders claims to have found an upsurge in litigation is being driven by a number of factors, notably the rising cost of living (47 percent), economic instability (36 percent) and a more litigious UK society generally (35 percent). (more…)

CIPD Festival of Work moves to London’s ExCeL for free, two-day event 

CIPD Festival of Work moves to London’s ExCeL for free, two-day event 

by • Events, News

The CIPD Festival of Work returns this June at a brand-new venue: the universally beloved ExCeL London.The CIPD Festival of Work returns this June at a brand-new venue: the universally beloved ExCeL London. The CIPD says the free, two-day event will be a jam-packed, interactive line-up that celebrates innovative ideas and discusses the dilemmas facing the world of work. The Festival will aim to bring together a wide range of exhibiters and over 150 international inspirational thought leaders and leading experts, across seven stages. They will be discussing a diverse range of topics that will ’empower everyone, no matter their profession or sector, to promote meaningful and positive change and create a better world of work’.  (more…)

A philosophical take on meaningful work

A philosophical take on meaningful work

by • Comment, Wellbeing, Workplace

But what exactly makes a particular job an instance of “meaningful work”? Is it just any sort of work people happen to believe is meaningful? Or is it a job with certain objective features?Work is an inescapable feature of the modern world. Most of us, except for a lucky few, spend a significant portion of our lives working. If this is the case, we may as well try and make it meaningful. In a 2019 report, 82 percent of employees reported that it is important to have a purpose in their work and that creating meaningful work was one of their top priorities. But what exactly makes a particular job an instance of “meaningful work”? Is it just any sort of work people happen to believe is meaningful? Or is it a job with certain objective features? (more…)

Most people want to work in jobs that have a positive impact on the world

Most people want to work in jobs that have a positive impact on the world

by • Environment, News, Workplace

A new poll from hiring platform Indeed suggests that people now consider working in jobs that positively impact society (57 percent) and the environment (55 percent) more important than they did when they started their careers. Just over a quarter (26 percent) say they would take a pay cut and 44 percent would consider retraining to enter the environmental sustainability sector. The survey of more than 1,000 workers and job seekers and 500 employers in the UK, highlights the ongoing green skills challenge. Despite the clear appetite for sustainability-related jobs among working people, 42 percent believe there are still too many barriers to entry. More than a quarter (27 percent) have been trying to transition to the sector but have been unsuccessful so far. (more…)

Green Building Council says Scotland has abandoned its role as a leader on climate

Green Building Council says Scotland has abandoned its role as a leader on climate

by • Environment, News

The UK Green Building Council – which represents some of the UK’s biggest names in the built environment, including housebuilders, banks, social housing providers, local councils, developers, estates and engineering companies and universities – responds to the Scottish Government’s decision to scrap its 2030 climate target. (more…)

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