FUTURE OF WORK SPEAKERS AND HR FUTURISTS SAY THAT TOMORROW’S WORKPLACE IS QUICKLY EVOLVING

Hearing the best future of work speakers in 2024/2025 and top consulting HR/workplace futurists tell the tale, things are changing out there in the modern workforce. As experts devoted to tracking the rapid evolution of work though, leading pros have a unique vantage point for forecasting the next big shifts on the horizon. Based on their insights advising leading organizations globally, here are three major trends future of work speakers predict will accelerate in 2024-2025 and the years ahead.

The first trend is more roles requiring specialized digital skills as technology continues advancing. The industry’s most well-known future of work speakers anticipate surging demand for skills like AI/ML engineering, robotics programming, AR/VR development, and data analytics. Nearly every industry will need technologically-adept talent to support innovation and digital transformation. Consultants urge employers to assess current skill gaps and invest in upskilling programs to build these high-value capabilities in-house. Failing to do so risks falling behind the competition as technology infiltrates more business functions.

The second trend highlighted by future of work speakers is more flexible, hybrid working becoming the norm, not the exception. Pros note that both employees and employers see the benefits of location-fluid work models. Allowing for both in-person collaboration and remote productivity gives organizations access to wider talent pools while supporting individual work-life balance. Experts say that between 20-30% of professional roles will permanently transition to fully remote. Meanwhile over 70% of roles will adopt a flexible hybrid model with opportunities for both on-site and virtual work.

On top of that, advisors anticipate greater automation of repetitive, operational roles through intelligent algorithms, AI and machine learning. Future of work speakers see machines complementing human capabilities and enabling people to focus more on strategy, creativity, emotional intelligence and innovation. Rather than fearing a rise in automation, the industry’s best future of work speakers believe forward-thinking leaders will embrace human+machine partnerships. It can elevate human performance and job satisfaction while achieving efficiency gains. But it does require strategic workforce planning and skills development to ensure humans have the latest tools to collaborate smoothly with smart tech.

All in all, the future of work speakers we’ve connected with emphasize that organizations must look ahead and prepare for the next frontier of technological and cultural shifts remaking jobs. With their extensive research and front-row view advising business executives globally, pros provide invaluable insights on emerging high-growth skills, optimal hybrid work models and human-centered automation. By heeding the advice from these thought leaders, organizations can formulate winning work, workforce and workplace strategies to seize competitive advantage in 2024-2025.