Digital automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) in particular, will reshape and dominate work within 15 years, according to “Work 2035,” a survey just released by Citrix, a Florida-based software company.
The survey of 1,500 executives and other employees of large and mid-size companies found that 72 percent believe AI will be their companies’ main revenue generator by 2030. Ninety percent of executives think AI will be their companies’ engine of growth by 2035.
A majority also believe companies will have a central AI department that collates, integrates, and oversees all areas of corporate operations, including the CEO’s office.
Bosses and workers, however, had differing views of AI’s coming dominance.
About 77 percent of bosses believe under-the-skin chips and sensors implanted in workers will take over minor routine tasks and speed processes.
Only 43 percent of workers share that view; but 57 percent would be willing to accept chip implants if it made them more secure in their jobs, the survey found.
In contrast, only 31 percent of executives said they would be willing to be chipped.
In Sweden, an estimated 6,000 workers already have had microchips implanted in their hands to replace keycards.
According to 51 percent of survey respondents, AI-powered personal assistants and other emerging technologies such augmented reality glasses will at least double workers’ productivity.
That would make half of all workers unnecessary, perhaps even in the C-suite: 57 percent of professionals responding to the survey believe that, by 2035, AI will have abolished traditional leadership and decision-making structures and will be handling those functions on its own.
TRENDPOST: Humans are entirely unprepared for the breadth and depth of earth-shaking changes that artificial intelligence will bring. As much research into AI’s effects on jobs, income, humans’ sense of self and worth, and similar areas needs to be progressing apace with the expansion of the technology itself.
