The work-free future? Not so fast..

Data debunks the automation myth

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Aloha friends,

I've decided to shake things up a bit this month and work from an office. Yes, WeWork may be bankrupt, but they're still operational! It's a nice change of scenery and motivates me to ride 20km daily on my bike, which is great.

After quite a busy travel schedule in Q1-Q2, maybe now I'll settle down a bit (zonk, probably I won't - new trips coming, stay tuned 😄).

In today's edition:

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  • Event: "The Shape of Work: AI x HR Playbook for 2024"

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💡 Is the "Work-Free Future" Just a Myth?

Yesterday, I shared some thoughts on LinkedIn about the myth of a work-free future and why it may be holding us back. This sparked quite a discussion! Let's dive deeper into this topic: from a 🇺🇸 perspective, but a lot of aspects have similarities globally

The idea of a work-free utopia has been gaining traction in some circles, fueled by discussions around Universal Basic Income (UBI) and the potential for widespread automation. However, the data tells a different story:

  1. UBI Experiments: Recent UBI experiments have shown that when people received $1000 a month, about 2% of them stopped working. While this might seem small, it's significant considering $1000 isn't enough to fully support most people.

  2. Job Satisfaction on the Rise: Contrary to the narrative that most jobs are unfulfilling, job satisfaction in the U.S. has been steadily increasing since 2010, according to the Conference Board.

  3. We're Working as Much as Ever: Despite getting richer since the 1980s, Americans haven't reduced their work hours. In fact, the percentage of working-age Americans with jobs is as high as it's ever been.

  4. The Robot Apocalypse is Still Science Fiction: There's no clear sign of mass technological unemployment (yet!). The labor share of output has only fallen by a couple of percentage points since the dawn of the information age.

  5. The Value of Human Labor: If all working-class jobs disappeared overnight, our advanced technological society would collapse. Software engineers and entrepreneurs rely on a vast network of essential workers.

So why the anti-work sentiment? A few factors might be at play:

  • Social media making leisure more accessible (even during work hours)

  • Unrealistic expectations set by higher education

  • The allure of an "automated luxury" future

Instead of dreaming of a work-free future, perhaps we should focus on:

  1. Making work more rewarding

  2. Valuing all types of labor (including unpaid work)

  3. Balancing productivity with well-being

The future isn't about escaping work. It's about creating work worth doing.

What do you think? Is the idea of a work-free future helpful or harmful? How can we create work that's truly worth doing in the age of AI? I'd love to hear your thoughts - drop a comment on my LinkedIn post or reply to this email!

📱🎧 Enhancing Your Reading Experience

Before we wrap up, I wanted to share some exciting updates about the newsletter platform we're using. These new features are designed to make your experience as a reader even better!

🎵 Audio Newsletters

Great news for those who prefer to listen rather than read! Our platform now offers an audio version of each newsletter. This means you can enjoy the content while commuting, exercising, or just giving your eyes a break.

Just look for the 'Listen Online' option at the top of each post. You'll be able to choose from a variety of voices, making it easier than ever to consume the content in a way that suits you best.

📱 New Mobile App

We're thrilled to announce that this newsletter now has its own dedicated mobile app! This means you can access all the content directly from your home screen, with a beautiful, mobile-optimized reading experience.

Key features of the app include:

  • Push notifications for new posts

  • Automatic login for subscribers

  • Easy access to all past content

To get the app, simply visit our website on your mobile device and look for the installation prompt. It's compatible with both iOS and Android.

👋 Wrapping Up

That's all for this edition, folks! Remember, the future of work is what we make it. Let's strive to create meaningful work that leverages AI to enhance our capabilities, not replace them.

Stay curious, keep learning, and don't forget to sign up for the virtual conference!

Until next time,

Iwo

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