Coulson-Thomas, Colin (2024) AI, sustainability and the future of work. Management Services, 68 (1). pp. 13-19. ISSN 0307-6768

PDF (Published article) Management Services CCT Spring 2024 article on the Future of Work pp13-19.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (754kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

The nature of future work, its extent, quantity and quality, and how, when, where, with whom, for what purposes and under what arrangements it is undertaken and remunerated will depend upon various and often inter-related factors. These include required responses to changing aspirations, requirements and priorities, global risks and existential threats, economic, environmental and social considerations, the impacts of AI and digital and other technologies, applicable and relevant legal and regulatory changes, how people, organisations, communities and societies respond to challenges and opportunities, and how employers, professional and public bodies, trades unions and Governments interpret and apply their responsibilities relating to work, employment, health and safety. Future work may be influenced by general technological, socio-economic, political and demographic changes as well as trends and developments in the specific and/or local contexts in which activities considered as ‘work’ occur. This article provides an overview of the possible impacts of AI, technology and sustainability on future work, including its quality and quantity, the perceptions of directors and corporate leaders, and future work alternatives such as social and community service enabled by minimum income support. Not all sectors, locations and communities will be impacted by developments, possibilities and trends in the same way. Less developed areas and those with limited skills and infrastructure support will be at a disadvantage. Inequalities may increase as more developed and higher skilled areas with better infrastructures pull ahead. Boundaries between work and leisure activities may blur and it may be necessary to rethink work. When anticipating and preparing for possible eventualities it might be prudent to be agile, flexible and ready for many scenarios rather than plan for a particular form of future work. Readiness to prepare for and seize opportunities and required skills, capabilities and infrastructures will determine likely prospects.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Management Services is the Quarterly Journal of the Institute of Management Services
Uncontrolled Keywords:	AI; AGI; sustainability; emerging technologies; quality of future work; quantity of future Work; community development; HRD; HRM; infrastructure planning
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Business
Related URLs:	Publisher
Last Modified:	15 Mar 2024 09:10
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/46283

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