Work, workforce, workers: reinvented in the age of generative AI

Generative [artificial intelligence] AI is likely the most significant change to work since the agricultural and industrial revolutions. Its evolution has been marked by three phases of significant advancements. The 'diagnostic era' was largely defined by the introduction of machine learning. The 'predictive era' gave us the ability to make increasingly accurate forecasts about everything from operations to customer behavior. Late 2022 saw the dawn of the 'generative era' where machines are not just predicting with high accuracy, they are also generating creative content and offering personalized suggestions.

Gen AI offers a trio of opportunities: it can accelerate economic value and drive business growth while also fostering more creative and meaningful work for people. However, although 95 per cent of workers we surveyed see value in working with gen AI, they do not trust organizations to ensure positive outcomes for everyone. Two-thirds of company leaders we surveyed confess that they are ill-equipped to lead this change. Misaligned perceptions between leaders and workers erode trust. This report examines how to close the trust gap and accelerate gen AI integration. It does this through examples of companies that are leveraging gen AI in ways that are better for business and better for people.

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