by Stella Pachidi, Assistant Professor in Information Systems, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, and a Member of the Scientific Committee of the Reshaping Work Conference 2024
When AI became hype, we all got worried about whether there would be work left for humans in the future. For better or for worse, we are past that debate! There will be numerous tasks that will get automated with AI, but equally, there will be plenty of others requiring humans to work together with AI agents, or potentially new types of work for humans to carry out that we may thus far not even imagine. Undoubtedly, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how we work. AI systems are now capable of handling tasks that once required human intelligence, altering workplace dynamics significantly.
The developments in Generative AI have proved that AI tools are able to manifest human-like capabilities that not even their developers had anticipated. We already see organizations integrating such tools into their operations, sparking innovation and new ways of creating value. They are also however faced with multiple questions, dilemmas and challenges on how to get it all right: sustain competitive advantage, treat both employees and clients fairly and ethically, spur growth and innovation, ensure sustainability and employee well-being, manage the digital transformation successfully, maintain valuable knowledge and expertise… — just to name a few of a never-ending list of work-related issues that scholars, managers, leaders, and policy makers need to consider.
The upcoming Reshaping Work Conference 2024 on AI at Work offers an important platform to explore these changes, examining both the opportunities and challenges that AI presents for the future of work. I look forward to the thought-provoking speeches and to engaging in deep conversations with both speakers and conference participants. I hope that after the end of this programme we will all leave with new ideas, and aspects to further reflect on, but also with a clear mandate on things each one of us from their role can do to ensure the best possible future of work in the AI era.
How can we make sure we maintain the interactive nature of the conference and support each other as we take all those discussed issues forward?
I would like to invite those attending or presenting at the conference to submit their experiences, reflections and further thoughts in blog posts, to advance the conversation. Themes on regulation of AI and work, changing nature of work and expertise with AI, ethical implications, the future of professions and skills, human-AI collaboration, impact of AI on leadership and management practice, sustainability and employee well-being in AI-enabled workplaces, digital transformation, algorithmic management and AI platform ecosystems, are a few indicative aspects to focus on.
I am sure more will even arise as we get together in Amsterdam!
The Reshaping Work Conference 2024 is a critical opportunity to engage with these important topics. I encourage all attendees to share their insights and reflections in blog posts during or after the event at info@reshapingwork.net! By doing so, we can continue the conversation, collaboratively shaping the future of work in a world increasingly affected by AI.