Key insights

• 💼 Technology is replacing traditional jobs, leading to uncertainty about the future of work and the skills that will matter.
• 🌾 The history of work shows transitions from hunter-gatherer to agrarian societies, where work was tied to survival, community, and the land.
• ⏰ Insights from history reveal surprising amounts of leisure time for peasants in medieval times, challenging common perceptions about their workload.
• 🕘 The concept of a 9-5 workday and the idea of a career are recent inventions. The history of work shows that societies have constantly adapted to change, but the current pace of change is unprecedented due to technological advancements.
• ⏳ Average working hours over time: medieval peasant (1,620 hours/year) to modern American worker (1,760 hours/year)
• 🔮 The future of work involves adapting to change and embracing uncertainty, with a focus on enhancing life rather than just providing income. AI is expected to impact a significant percentage of jobs globally, with variations across different economies.
• 🤖 AI is enhancing, not replacing, jobs like judging and lawyering. Time is decoupled from value in digital jobs. Early adoption of AI technology has high upside. IBM's skills build platform offers valuable courses in AI and hybrid skills.
• 🔊 Build tools for learning through listening/voice, voice-enabled e-commerce, text-to-speech systems, preparing for AI, starting something new, embracing AI in the workplace, and not being intimidated by artificial intelligence.
• 🛠️ Embrace AI tools and take action to shape the future of work. The real divide will be between early adopters of AI and those who wait too long. The future of work is something we get to shape.

Q&A

• How can one shape the future of work?

  To shape the future of work, individuals are encouraged to embrace AI tools, take action, and become early adopters of AI, as the real divide will be between early adopters of AI and those who wait too long.

• What are some tools for preparing for AI and embracing it in the workplace?

  Tools for learning through listening/voice, voice-enabled e-commerce, text-to-speech systems, and IBM's skills build platform are valuable for preparing for and embracing AI in the workplace.

• What is the attitude towards AI in the workplace?

  Embracing AI in the workplace is encouraged, and early adoption of AI technology is seen to have a high upside.

• How does AI impact jobs?

  AI is expected to impact a significant percentage of jobs globally, with variations across different economies, and it enhances jobs like judging and lawyering.

• What does the future of work involve?

  The future of work involves adapting to change and embracing uncertainty, and it may focus on enhancing life rather than just providing income.

• What is driving the unprecedented pace of change in work?

  The current unprecedented pace of change in work is driven by technological advancements.

• How have average working hours evolved over time?

  Average working hours have evolved from 1,620 hours/year for medieval peasants to 1,760 hours/year for modern American workers.

• What are the recent inventions related to work structure?

  The concept of a 9-5 workday and the idea of a career are recent inventions.

• What are insights from history regarding medieval peasant workload?

  Insights from history reveal surprising amounts of leisure time for peasants in medieval times, challenging common perceptions about their workload.

• What does the history of work reveal about transitions in societies?

  The history of work shows transitions from hunter-gatherer to agrarian societies, where work was tied to survival, community, and the land.

• 00:01 The concept of jobs is changing as technology replaces traditional roles, leading to questions about the future of work, skills that will matter, and the importance of understanding this shift. The history of work shows a transition from hunter-gatherer to agrarian societies, with surprising insights about leisure time in medieval times.
• 03:12 The concept of a 9-5 workday and the idea of a career are recent inventions. The history of work shows that societies have constantly adapted to change, but the current pace of change is unprecedented due to technological advancements.
• 06:24 The future of work involves adapting to change and embracing uncertainty. The new social contract with work may focus on enhancing life rather than just providing income. AI is expected to impact a significant percentage of jobs globally, with variations across different economies.
• 09:04 AI is enhancing, not replacing, jobs like judging and lawyering. Time is decoupled from value in digital jobs. Early adoption of AI technology has high upside. IBM's skills build platform offers valuable courses in AI and hybrid skills.
• 11:41 Build tools for learning through listening/voice, voice-enabled e-commerce, text-to-speech systems, preparing for AI, starting something new, embracing AI in the workplace, and not being intimidated by artificial intelligence.
• 14:38 Embrace AI tools, take action, and shape the future of work. Sign up for an AI tool, experiment, and be an early adopter. The real divide will be between those who embrace AI early and those who wait too long. The future of work is something we get to shape. Subscribe for more insights and share your thoughts in the comments.