As I sat to discuss with a group of colleagues, I couldn’t help but notice the mix of emotions in the room. Some were excited, others were sceptical, and a few were downright scared. The topic of discussion? The impact of AI and technology on the future of work.

One of them, a Gen X, expressed his concerns about the rapid rise of automation. “Will we still have jobs?” he asked. A Millennial in the room quickly responded, “AI is not here to replace us, but to augment our abilities. It’s an opportunity to upskill and reskill.”

This conversation got me thinking. What does the future of work hold, and how can we prepare for it?

The different generations, AI and technology
When it comes to AI and technology, different generations have different perspectives. The Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, are often hesitant about adopting new technology. However, they recognise the benefits of AI in improving efficiency and productivity, but are sceptical about adoption. AI and technology do not appear to be much of a challenge to them, as they are gradually leaving the workplace.

Gen X, born between 1965 and 1980, appear to be more open to adopting new technology. They see technology as a means to improve work-life balance and increase productivity. They however, don’t understand how it works, but with training, they are receptive. They understand that they need these technologies, but are also worried that emerging AI might take away their jobs.

Born between 1981 and 1996, Millennials are digital natives who have grown up with the internet and smartphones. They see AI as a tool to enhance their lives and improve their work experience, especially in a less restrictive workplace.

For Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, they are true digital natives who were born with AI and technology. They see AI as a normal part of life and are even the founders and creators of these tools.

The need for mentorship and training
Since AI and technology have come to stay and are already transforming the workplace, there is a growing need for mentorship and training. Companies need to invest in training programs that help employees, especially the older generations, develop the skills they need to work effectively.

Moreover, there is a need for mentorship programmes that pair older generations with younger generations. This can help older generations learn from younger generations and develop the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing workplace. This can also reduce the fear that AI will take their jobs.

For example, companies like IBM and Microsoft are already investing in mentorship programmes that pair older generations with younger generations. These programs are helping to bridge the gap between different generations and ensure that everyone has the skills they need to succeed.

Some of the tools that can boost productivity in the workplace include:
Content Creation

Jasper: A powerful AI content creation platform with dozens of templates and internet research capabilities.

Anyword: Helps marketers create content by breaking down the generation process into steps, including title generation and outline creation.

Chatgpt: Offers solutions for research and content processing.
Text enhancement

Grammarly: A complete solution for spell- and structure-checking, tone adjustment, and phrase simplification. It can also be used to check for plagiarism.

Wordtune: Helps find alternative wordings to improve text, including synonyms, sentence rewriting, and tone adaptation.

ProWritingAid: Offers grammar, style, and spelling scores, with a lifetime plan option.

Image generation
DALL·E 3: An image generator by OpenAI, producing interesting results from text prompts.

Midjourney: Impressive image generation capabilities, even with complex prompts.
Ideogram: Excels at generating accurate text within images and offers an image editor for additional aesthetic control.

Social Media management
FeedHive: Includes AI-powered content recycling features to repurpose existing content.

Vista Social: Acts as a hub for social media management, gathering all channels in one place and offering AI tools for content repurposing.
Canva: An all-in-one template for graphics design. It is especially useful for those who are beginners in design.

Video generation and editing
Runway: A video magic tool with AI features for video generation, model training, and frame painting.

Descript: Transcribes videos into scripts, allowing for text-based editing and automatic video trimming.

Wondershare Filmora: Offers AI features for background removal, denoising, and sound quality improvement.

Benefits of adoption for companies and individuals
For companies, adopting AI and technology can bring numerous benefits. It can increase efficiency, improve decision-making, and enhance customer experience. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can provide 24/7 customer support, improving customer satisfaction and loyalty.

For example, a company like Domino’s Pizza is using AI-powered chatbots to take orders and provide customer support. This has not only improved customer satisfaction but also reduced the workload of human customer support agents. These tools are not available only to big companies. An AI customer support tool is replyi.ai, which is built to support small businesses as well.

The interesting thing about these tools is that it is bridging the gap between organisations with deep pockets and those with small budgets.

Moreover, companies that adopt AI and technology can gain a competitive edge over their rivals. According to a report by McKinsey, companies that adopt AI and automation can increase their productivity by up to 40%. There are AI tools like Chatgpt, Gemini that make research and other administrative tasks faster. They are also AI tools that are used for generating images. They are tools that make communication in the office better, like Slack, WhatsApp and other social media platforms.

For individuals, adopting AI and technology can bring numerous benefits as well. It can provide opportunities to upskill and reskill, increasing employability and career prospects. AI-powered tools can automate routine tasks, freeing up time for individuals to focus on high-value tasks and projects.

For instance, LinkedIn’s AI-powered learning platform is helping professionals develop new skills and enhance their career prospects.

Moreover, adopting AI and technology can improve work-life balance. With the rise of remote work and flexible schedules, individuals can have more control over their work environment and schedule.

The Future of Work
So, what does the future of work hold? About a decade ago, the World Economic Forum and others estimated that roughly 65 per cent of children entering primary school today will end up working in jobs that don’t currently exist. This is due to the constant advancement of technology and automation, leading to the emergence of new industries and job roles, while some existing ones may become obsolete.

The picture painted is of an economy in turbulent transition, but also one where technological advancement creates opportunities while simultaneously displacing traditional roles.

The future of work is uncertain, but one thing is clear: AI and technologies are here to stay. By adopting AI and technology, companies and individuals can reap numerous benefits, from increased efficiency and productivity to improved work-life balance and career prospects.

Moreover, by investing in mentorship and training programs, companies can help bridge the gap between different generations and ensure that everyone has the skills they need to survive in this era of technology and AI. The future belongs to those who prepare for it.

• Lawal is a seasoned HR professional, consultant, and certified coach & trainer. She empowers individuals and organisations through value-added workplace training, leadership coaching and tailored guidance. She can be reached via [email protected]