Changes in culture, demographics, technology and other areas are many, and they are happening fast—prompting the Association to rebrand its Workplace 2020 project as the Initiative on the Emerging Workplace in a continuing effort to represent the views of Chief Human Resource Officers on these changes as and even before they occur. As we look beyond 2020, trends such as the impact of artificial intelligence on work and society loom as potentially massive challenges. This development will be explored at the upcoming Washington Policy Conference and in an essay below written by HR Policy CEO Emeritus Jeff McGuiness.
Jeff McGuiness: Lessons Learned from a Summer Binge Reading About the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Work and Society "Spend a couple of months immersed in books, news articles, and studies on how artificial intelligence is changing the workplace, and it’s hard not to conclude that a comprehensive rethinking of our societal institutions is in order. Yes, these startling technologies are turning science fiction into reality. Yes, they will improve our health, make our lives more secure, and vastly increase the efficiency of business, government, and society. But there will be less sanguine changes as well. The development of artificial intelligence is nearing an inflection point such that improvements will be accelerating at exponential rates, increasing productivity and potentially putting millions out of work. Will that be a blessing or a curse, or both? Will the ranks of the long-term unemployed further deepen, or will advanced automation come to the rescue as the labor participation rate continues to fall, boomers retire, and the job market tightens? Will our tax, health, training, employment, income assistance, and other structures fit this new era? All these questions create public policy issues with enormous implications for employers." To read the full blog, click here.
