Dig.ni.fy Winter Issue - January 2024 | Page 100

And this number increases by roughly 40,000 per year. By 2030, these robots could

replace well over 800,000 workers.

And finally, the research identified how the work will get done:

•50 percent of the US workforce may be freelancers by 2030.

As of 2022, approximately 36 percent of the US workforce are Freelancers (70.4 million Americans). That’s already over an 18 percent increase from 2020, when there were 59 million US freelancers.

•By 2030, 60 percent of US jobs will have at least 30 percent of their activities automated.

In the future, many jobs will be supported by machine learning and AI, even if human employees aren’t replaced outright. Altogether, robots may replace up to 30 percent of all human labor by 2030.

•There are 3 million industrial robots operating globally.

While it’s unclear just how many industrial robots will be in place by 2030, the number is increasing by a steady 10.28 percent compound annual growth rate.

•52 percent of employees say the pandemic made them question the purpose of their day-to-day jobs.

More specifically, 63 percent of employees wished that employers would provide them with more opportunities to find purpose day-to-day. No doubt, this feeling has been a contributor to the Great Resignation.

•AI stands to generate 58 million new jobs by 2030.

It’s not all doom and gloom when it comes to AI. On top of supporting old jobs and making tasks easier for human workers, AI will also create almost as many new jobs as it replaces.

The question that naturally follows is: what then, will the future of work look like?

The research found “the future of work centers around three major staples: gig work, remote work, and automation.”

•Gig work. Freelancing has become far more common, as workers enjoy the flexibility of “being their own boss,” and companies enjoy the perk of not having to provide full-time benefits. Overall, up to 50 percent of the US workforce may be freelancers by 2030.

•Remote work. A trend that was undoubtedly sparked by the pandemic, many workers don’t want to return to the office. And why would they? Remote work is often more productive and provides workers with a better work-life balance. As a compromise, 74 percent of companies plan to implement hybrid work models.

•Automation. AI will continue to play a more and more important role in the workplace, from replacing old jobs to supporting existing jobs and creating new ones. By 2030, 60 percent of US jobs will have at least 30 percent of their activities automated.

How best can people prepare for such work? The research found “the best way to prepare for the future of work is to understand current trends and use them to your advantage.” And the researchers concluded the best way to do so was to:

•Embrace innovation. New technology doesn’t have to be intimidating. In fact, up to 75 percent of employees agree that new technology has made their jobs easier. A company that chooses to keep up with the times and innovate will not only be more successful but have informed and proficient

The best way to prepare for the future of work is to understand current trends and use them to your advantage.

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