Nine ways artificial intelligence is changing how and where we work

Abstract

In March 2018, a panel of artificial intelligence (AI), corporate real estate (CRE) and workplace experts came together in Singapore. Their objective? To explore AI and how it will impact the way we work; the companies we work for; the technology that we work with; and consequently, the places where we work. Unsurprisingly, the relationship between AI and jobs was the first topic of discussion. The conclusion of the experts was straightforward: we should not worry that AI will take our jobs, rather we should focus on how augmented intelligence will enhance our existing jobs and increase performance. Central to this mind-shift, will be understanding how augmented reality (AR) tools (visual and audio) will converge our physical and virtual workplaces. Nowadays there is great uncertainty as to how many people (and therefore how much space) organisations will need in the future. AI is both the cause and a potential solution as ‘workplace as a service’ and ‘agile portfolio’ enter the real estate vernacular. When wearable AR devices go mainstream, will we work from ‘cockpits’, will an industry of ‘workplace skin’ design emerge and will we need virtual occupational health and safety (OH&S) officers? Amidst this chaos and change — what role, if any, will physical work environments play in our lives?