Future of Work Roundup - Week of May 1

Welcome to the Future of Work Roundup. Each week, we bring you five top stories—drawing from the latest academic research and industry trends—to give you an easily-digestible snapshot of how work is changing—and why it matters.

Tech & Sustainability Lead the Charge in WEF's 2023 Job Growth Predictions

The World Economic Forum reveals surprising job market shifts in their Future of Jobs Report 2023. Soaring opportunities in autonomous vehicles, AI, and green industries stand in stark contrast to dwindling prospects for traditional roles like bank tellers and data entry staff.

AI Investments Take Priority for Meta, Alphabet, and Microsoft

Bloomberg reports on how major tech companies, including Meta, Alphabet, and Microsoft, are prioritizing investments in artificial intelligence (AI) despite recent cost-cutting measures, including laying off thousands of employees.

Toxic Office Politics Still Thrive in Work-from-Home Era, Survey Shows

According to the article published by Bloomberg, toxic office politics persist in the work-from-home era, with a recent survey of 800 US workers showing that half of the respondents report negative effects that have remained the same.

How Gen Z is Trading Smoke Breaks for Diet Coke Breaks

Fortune reports that "Diet Coke breaks" have gained popularity among Gen Z and younger millennials as an alternative to conventional smoke and coffee breaks. This trend, which has gained traction on TikTok, provides a cost-effective and socially agreeable means of alleviating workday tedium and managing the increasing disillusionment faced in the current difficult climate.

AI Tools Improve Customer Service Productivity by 14%, Study Shows

According to Bloomberg article, a real-world study found that customer service workers became 14% more productive on average when given access to AI tools. The study involved over 5,000 customer support agents at a Fortune 500 software firm, and the findings suggest that AI can help bridge the gap between low- and high-skilled workers.

Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for next week’s Future of Work roundup.