World Economic Forum - latest report on the Future of Work

 Through LinkedIn, is the link to the latest report on the Future of Work by the World Economic Forum.

This report provides an overview, now shifted by the effects of this year's pandemic and its flow on challenges. 

The key findings are sobering reading. They include:

- Agreement that the pace of technology adoption is unabated and accelerating in some areas (adoption of cloud, big data and e-commerce with forays into encrytion, non-humanoid robots and AI)

- Automation, along with the effects of Covid-19 are creating a 'double-disruption' causing companies to consider and implement reductio of workforce, increase use of contractors and expand the technoloy side of their businesses/organisation.

- Job destruction has accelerated with the creation of 'new' jobs slowint :(

- Skill gaps in high demand skills like critical thinking and analysis, problem solving, skills in self-management, resilience, flexibility etc.

- For a large majority of the online white-collar workforce, the future has arrived! due to shift to remote work.

- Inequality forecasted to rise :(

- Online learning and training increasing but looks different for those who are unemployed. 

- window of opportunity to upskill is narrowing, as companise pressured to survive in the fast changing society.

- Call for public sector to provide stronger support for re and up-skilling, especially for at risk of displaced workers.

An associated report - 6 skills cannot be replicated by AI - supports the assertions in the main report.

These are;

- ability to undertake non-verbal communication (i.e. read body language) and ability to show deep empathy with 'customers.

- Ability to undertake 'growth management' and to employ 'mind management' - i.e. to deal with the stresses and strains fo the current and future challenges.

- Ability to perform 'collective intelligence management (i.e work with a team) and realise new ideas in an organisation (plus 'convince' the higher ups to listen!)

All above are important inter-relational skills, learnt through experience. 

Some sobering reading but a good summary of the disruptive impact Covid-19 has on an already complex. shifting and fragile world.