How will our world change in the next 1000 days? And, how must we prepare for this change?
The future of work is here, the unexpected is normal.
Every industry is being reshaped by advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI). For example, AI is expected to increase banking industry revenue by $1 billion in the next three years, the manufacturing industry stands to gain $3.78 trillion from AI, and drug discovery in life sciences has been hyperaccelerated.
9 out of 10 organizations believe AI will give them a competitive edge.
Generative AI became the #1 topic discussed by CEOs in 2023. OpenAI's ChatGPT spawned an arms race over the last 12 months. Since then, we have witnessed innovation at a breathtaking pace.
What next?
In this article, we explore what lies beyond. How will AI impact our work and productivity? What changes will we witness in the workplace? How should we prepare to navigate this shapeshifting landscape?
Let's dive in!
A Billion Intelligent Agents In The Workplace.
Think of today's AI assistants such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or others. They operate by completing specific tasks. We provide instructions through a prompt and we receive a response. For example, compose a brief email response to Jane or convert this script from Python to Rust.
In contrast, intelligent agents take a more goal-oriented approach.
Rather than specifying step-by-step instructions, users define the overarching result they want to achieve. The agent determines the optimal sequence of actions needed to fulfill the goal.
"Agentic AI" breaks the goal down into discrete sub-tasks and self-directs its progress. This capability for independent planning and multi-step problem solving allows agents to demonstrate more adaptive, autonomous behavior than chatbots tied to single commands.
By focusing on outcomes instead of individual tasks, agents can dynamically adapt their processes based on changing circumstances. This goal-driven model mirrors how humans solve complex problems. This gives agents more flexibility and power to complete user objectives in a self-guided manner. The proliferation of agentic AI will mark a significant evolution from what we see today.
Looking ahead, companies may function with compact human leadership teams focused on strategy and stakeholder relationships, while vast AI agent teams automate operations through their inter-organizational coordination under human guidance. This model leverages respective human and AI strengths for optimal combined productivity and output.
Gartner predicts that by 2025, AI will be a workforce partner for 90% of companies worldwide.
Agentic AI will create a whole new way of working.
From Pilots To Enterprise AI Adoption At Scale.
AI has become a leading priority for executives.
The pressure to adopt AI is mounting. KPMG's recent survey found that 70% of CEOs ranked investing in generative AI as a top concern, even amid economic challenges. 52% foresee benefits within the next three to five years from prioritizing the use of this technology.
There is a clear sense of urgency. And, the current approach has been to test waters with AI pilots.
BUT, progress has been slow.
Many business leaders encounter resistance when seeking to adopt AI. 55% report challenges with buy-in from their teams. The reasons for hesitancy are understandable. Concerns over potential job loss, risks to data privacy, and intrinsic biases in AI systems are very real issues that understandably give some pause. While the risks must be taken seriously and addressed properly, overcoming resistance will be key to maximizing AI's benefits.
One industry that is leading implementation is Banking.
Across the industry, Citi, Goldman, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, and other banks are "Banking on AI". They are rewiring the Bank for an AI-powered future. McKinsey notes that AI could boost Wall Street profits by $340 Billion annually. For example, ‘AI @ Morgan Stanley Assistant’ built on GPT-4 and fine-tuned on 100,000+ documents aims to revolutionize Morgan Stanley's client interactions.
As we move beyond the current AI hype cycle into practical, result-oriented use of AI in business operations - we could witness a change. One thing is for certain:
It is impossible to benefit from AI without embracing it.
The Emergence Of C-Suite Copilots.
In 2023 we saw the world's first AI CEO - Mika.
A Polish company handed over the CEO role to a robot in a unanimous decision by its Board. “My decision-making process relies on extensive data analysis and aligning with the company’s strategic objectives,” Mika stated in an interview with Reuters.
While this is possibly a PR stunt, the underlying theme is worth noting - the future of corporate management is AI-powered.
Experts predict that AI may soon be capable of taking on more sophisticated executive duties. AI could handle some of the more complex tasks normally undertaken by C-suite executives. As AI technologies continue advancing, the range of high-level responsibilities that could be allocated to AI systems may expand significantly from what is possible today.
This has major implications for reshaping the role of human leadership and enables new models of AI-augmented management in the future. edX notes that 79% of executives fear that if they don’t learn how to use AI, they’ll be unprepared for the future of work.
Savvy executives already see AI as a partner in decision-making processes.
AI won't replace executives but CEOs using AI will outperform those who don't.
Intelligent Work Processes and Environments That Dynamically Adapt To Your Needs.
The AI-powered workplace is close.
AI will take the drudgery out of work, allowing us to focus on challenging, complex, rewarding tasks.
With the launch of Microsoft's Copilot we are seeing significant productivity benefits. 70% of Copilot users said they were more productive, 68% said it improved the quality of their work, 64% of users said copilot use meant less time on email and 77% said once they used Copilot, they didn’t want to give it up.
AI will boost productivity and level the playing field.
For example, AT&T figured small tasks were costing its workers 28,500 hours. They made 160 efficiency adjustments to save nearly 3 million hours a year and continues to explore numerous use cases with its Gen AI platform, "Ask AT&T"
When it comes to the physical workspace, advanced AI systems are allowing organizations to offer dynamic services tailored to individual needs. Through predictive modeling powered by machine learning, these systems can gain a holistic understanding of each customer or employee to deliver highly personalized services and experiences.
As AI assistants become more advanced in their abilities, interfaces will evolve beyond screens. With ambient computing, these AI systems could be woven into the fabric of our environments and workspaces to serve our needs almost invisibly.
Offices of the future will automatically adjust lighting, temperature, meeting spaces and more based on predictive analytics of employee preferences and schedules.
Workplaces powered by advanced AI may even mean companies could quickly reconfigure physical layouts and allocate collaborative work areas on demand to best-fit project teams and optimize productivity and team well-being.
Combined with new mixed reality technologies, this could lead to offices that are fluid, adaptive spaces catering seamlessly to occupants' changing needs.
The workplaces of the future will "automagically" transform to meet our needs.
No-Code AI Applications Will Unlock A Billion Citizen Developers
No/Low Code AI applications will spark innovation at an unprecedented rate.
These platforms allow citizen developers (non-programmers) to create and deploy AI-powered apps. Applications such as RapidMiner, KNIME, Ikigai, Dataiku, and others allow you to build AI/ML applications visually and quickly without coding or very little coding.
These platforms will bring the power of AI to the masses.
For example, OpenAI's recently launched GPT Builder allows you to customize and monetize your own ChatGPT versions with ease - all in a simple conversational interface
With these tools, we can transition quickly from idea to application. Citizen developers can use simplified drag-and-drop interfaces to develop web and mobile apps. They can fast-track AI application development and improve continuously.
For example, Varian Medical Systems, a manufacturer of cancer treatment devices, needed to customize its quality management system. As a life sciences company regulated by agencies like the FDA, Varian's system already provided visibility into operations. Varian used no-code/low-code modules to add new compliance functionality within its quality system.
One area where no-code/low-code will have a profound impact is digital transformation. While digital transformation has been a top priority for companies, lack of digital skills, budgets, and tech resources have been stumbling blocks. Organizations have therefore faced challenges in their efforts to modernize.
Many are now adopting low-code solutions to help them transform more easily and stay competitive by enabling the rapid development of applications.
Gartner notes that the no-code/low-code platform market will reach $12.3 billion in 2024.
Developers and innovators will be able to focus on the 20% of work that drives 80% of the value.
Synthetic Realities Become Indistinguishable From "Default" Reality.
Synthetic data is artificially generated data.
It can supplement or replace real data when real data is expensive, limited, or restricted due to privacy or other issues. This enables organizations to more effectively train AI models when real data's weaknesses cannot be adequately addressed otherwise.
Gartner estimates that by 2030, synthetic data will completely overshadow real data in AI models.
Synthetic data is already being used in many industries.
For example, Amazon used synthetic data about speech patterns, syntax, and semantics to improve multilingual speech recognition in its Alexa virtual assistant.
Push this one step further, could we see the emergence of synthetic humans? For example, consider Aitana López a digital influencer from Barcelona.
"She" is not real.
Aitana, created using AI, is a virtual influencer with nearly 250,000 followers.
As image and video synthesis systems evolve, they will become indistinguishable from reality. Advanced AI will synthesize our inputs, preferences, and needs - whether or not these are consciously provided, into new, ever-evolving synthetic realities.
Synthetic humans and synthetic worlds have real business applications - think "synthetic patients" for a clinical trial or "synthetic customers" for a focus group.
The possibilities are endless.
Synthetic realities will bring our imagination to life.
Humanoid Robots: A Fusion of Advanced AI and Robotics.
The integration of AI with robotics will redefine many sectors.
Today there are about 3 million industrial robots around the globe, with roughly 400,000 new robots entering the market every year.
Humanoid robots are designed in the shape of humans. This shape allows it to interact with human environments and use human tools. Humanoid robots are made for both functional and experimental purposes, such as studying bipedal movement.
Tesla with its Optimus, Boston Dynamics with Atlas, Sanctuary AI with Phoenix, Apptronik with Apollo are prominent examples. Tesla's Optimus program is advancing at a breakneck pace. The latest iteration has demonstrated human-like movements.
Agility Robotics plans to produce 10,000 of its Digit robots per year to help with dangerous logistics tasks. These robots will help Amazon and other companies with dangerous hauling, lifting, and moving.
China has a goal of mass-producing similar robots by 2025.
Connecting the abilities of humanoid robots with the language skills of chatbots will significantly advance technologies. Agility Robotics is exploring using large language models (LLMs) to communicate with its humanoid robot Digit.
In a demonstration video, Digit was able to execute natural language commands such as picking up a box of a specific color and moving it. Agility hopes this approach could make robots more versatile and easier to deploy.
Being able to understand natural language from humans is important for robots working closely with people.
The combination of humanoid robotics and LLMs will be truly transformative.
We Will (Re)Learn To Value Solitude As A Healer, Teacher And Catalyst.
"The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulate the creative mind." - Albert Einstein.
Solitude has long been embraced by great historical figures like Da Vinci, Van Gogh, Einstein, Mozart, and Beethoven who sought it out to focus on their highly creative works.
However, in today's hyperconnected world, finding solitude and true connection can be difficult. Constant digital distraction and the pressure of social media make it challenging to disconnect.
Our brains need solitude for focus and reflection. Neuroscientific research has shown why.
Finding solitude changes how the brain operates allowing the 'executive control network' and 'default mode network' to collaborate, boosting creativity. Yet constantly being plugged in prevents this collaboration from occurring.
One antidote is "dopamine detox".
A dopamine detox involves avoiding digital screens and stimulating activities for 1-3 days to reduce high dopamine levels caused by excessive technology use. This aims to resensitize dopamine receptors so natural rewards are more satisfying again by shifting the brain away from constant dopamine spikes.
Proponents say it can help make you less distracted and more present, but more research is still needed on its effects.
'Solitude' and 'loneliness' are not the same thing.
Solitude is a purposeful alone time that can be fulfilling, while loneliness is an unwanted lack of social connection that typically induces negative feelings of isolation and distress. The key difference lies in the voluntary versus involuntary experience.
While social connection on platforms is easy to find, true meaningful connection requires presence which solitude enables.
Harnessing solitude's powers has helped artists and scientists strive for improvement. In an era when escaping hyperconnection and demanding attention at all times is a feat, this will become a key success factor.
Finding solitude to recharge will be a key skill in our hyperconnected and "always-on" future.
Technology can take something that was scarce and make it abundant.
The strides in AI and technology over the next 1000 days will transform how we live and work in truly remarkable ways. Industries and jobs will continue to evolve at an unprecedented pace, yet this change also presents immense opportunities to unleash human potential.
Advances like agentic AI, no-code platforms, and synthetic realities will empower millions of new innovators to tackle humanity's greatest challenges. As intelligent agents automate routine tasks, people will gain the flexibility to focus on more meaningful, creative pursuits. AI assistants and tools that enhance our capabilities will make us more productive without replacing human characteristics like empathy, creativity, imagination, and judgment.
Looking ahead, partnerships between humans and AI will take organizations to new heights. Executives who learn to leverage AI strategically will outperform those who don't.
Our workplaces will adapt dynamically based on our individual needs, preferences, and schedules. Time once spent on mundane activities can be reclaimed to nurture relationships, rest, and develop new skills.
Perhaps most exciting is the dawn of a new era of ubiquitous innovation.
As barriers to creating AI applications vanish, people everywhere will gain superpowers to drive positive change. If guided responsibly, these converging technologies offer a brighter future where humanity's greatest gifts—our compassion and creativity—can flourish on an unprecedented scale.
This future is NOT a given.
Our spirit of adaptation and cooperation will be tested. The next 1000 days will require us to combine bold decision-making with thoughtful and practical action. The partnership between human ingenuity and machine intelligence can unlock abundance.
The age of AI is the age of possibility.
How will you contribute to shaping it?
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A Message From Ram:
My mission is to illuminate the path toward humanity's exponential future. If you're a leader, innovator, or changemaker passionate about leveraging breakthrough technologies to create unprecedented positive impact, you're in the right place. If you know others who share this vision, please share these insights. Together, we can accelerate the trajectory of human progress.
Disclaimer:
Ram Srinivasan currently serves as an Innovation Strategist and Transformation Leader, authoring groundbreaking works including "The Conscious Machine" and the upcoming "The Exponential Human."
All views expressed on "Explained Weekly," the "ConvergeX Podcast," and across all digital channels and social media platforms are strictly personal opinions and do not represent the official positions of any organizations or entities I am affiliated with, past or present. The content shared is for informational and inspirational purposes only. These perspectives are my own and should not be construed as professional, legal, financial, technical, or strategic advice. Any decisions made based on this information are solely the responsibility of the reader.
While I strive to ensure accuracy and timeliness in all communications, the rapid pace of technological change means that some information may become outdated. I encourage readers to conduct their own due diligence and seek appropriate professional advice for their specific circumstances.