What does the future of work hold? In a world where it’s impossible to predict what will happen tomorrow, it’s a tough question to answer. But businesses that hope to emerge from the global pandemic in a stronger, better position need to be thinking about – and planning for future models – today.

*A year-long examination of global work patterns and plans, to understand how work will change and the role that technology will play in enabling people to perform at their best. And the results are in: driven by flexible models and intelligent solutions that remove the complexity and noise from work, employees will be more engaged and productive and fuel innovation and growth like never before.

What will the workforce, work models and the work environment look like in 2035? And how will technology shape them? To find out, Citrix teamed up with futurist consultancy Oxford Analytica and business research specialist Coleman Parkes to survey over 500 C-Suite leaders and 1,000 employees within large corporations and mid-market businesses across the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, France and the Netherlands on current and future workforce strategies and work models. And here’s what was learned:

Robots will not replace humans
But they will make us smarter and more efficient. Three-quarters (74 per cent) of UK respondents believe that in fifteen years, artificial intelligence (AI) will significantly speed up the decision-making process and make workers more productive.

New jobs will be created
New roles will emerge to support a technology-driven workplace and the changing relationship between humans and machines. Here are the positions UK respondents believe will be created:

• Robot / AI trainer (78 per cent of leaders/42 per cent of employees)
• Virtual reality manager (85 per cent of leaders/34 per cent of employees)
• Advanced data scientist (76 per cent of leaders/28 per cent of employees)
• Privacy and trust manager (74 per cent of leaders/24 per cent of employees)
• Design thinker (49 per cent of leaders/20 per cent of employees)

Work will be more flexible
Technology that allows for seamless access to the tools and information people need to collaborate and get work done wherever they happen to be will fuel flexible models that the future of work will demand.

• 59 per cent of UK professionals (business leaders and workers combined) believe that a “platform” model – which creates value by facilitating exchanges between groups or individuals using digital technology – will dominate work in the future.
• 56 per cent of UK workers believe permanent employees will become rare by 2035.
• 75 per cent of UK leaders believe that technology platforms will provide instant access to the highly specialized, on-demand talent required to power future organisations and accommodate rapid changes in business and customer needs.
• 54 per cent of UK leaders believe that in 2035, the majority of high-value specialist workers will work as on-demand and freelance contractors.

Leadership will have a new look
More than half of UK respondents (57 per cent) believe AI has the potential to make the majority of business decisions by 2035 and potentially eliminate the need for traditional senior management teams.

• 69 per cent of UK professionals think most organisations will have a central AI department overseeing all areas of the business.
• 63 per cent of UK respondents believe that the CEO will work in a human-machine partnership with a Chief of Artificial Intelligence (CAI).

Productivity will get a major boost
Technology, closely integrated with humans, will drive step changes in productivity as workers are supported by solutions that enable them to perform at their best. “AI-ngels” – digital assistants driven by AI – will draw on personal and workplace data to help employees prioritise their tasks and time and ensure mental and physical wellness. These worker augmented assistants will, for example, schedule meetings to take place at the most effective time based on factors ranging from the blood sugar levels of participants to their sentiments at different times of day. And while the meetings are taking place, they will monitor concentration levels and attitudes and adjust as necessary to drive optimal outcomes.

Professionals in the UK are the most sceptical of technology’s potential to make workers more productive. Yet, on average, they still believe that technology will increase productivity by 87% by 2035, as opposed to a global average of 102%. Among the solutions they believe will be commonplace:

• AI that anticipates and performs tasks based on habits and preferences
• AI nudges
• AI personal assistants
• AI-guided digital wellness to ensure employees’ mental and physical wellbeing
• Wearable technology to interact with systems
• Augmented reality glasses
• Neuro-linked technology for controlling devices
• Exoskeletons to enhance performance-related tasks

Employee engagement will improve

As technology and AI takes over time-consuming, mundane tasks, work will become more strategic and employees more engaged.

• 82 per cent of UK professionals believe that by 2035, technology will automate low-value tasks, freeing workers to focus on the meaningful work they want and are paid to do.
• 72 per cent of UK professionals say it will be a significant factor in upskilling human workers, creating new opportunities for personal development and career growth.

Innovation and growth will soar
Organisations will invest more in technology and AI than human capital. This will open the door to unprecedented levels of innovation and new revenue streams and fuel sustainable growth – particularly among small businesses.

• 93 per cent of UK business leaders believe that in 2035, AI technology investment will be the biggest driver of growth for their organisation.
• 58 per cent of UK leaders believe that by 2030, AI will generate more revenue for their organisation than human workers.
• 59 per cent of UK professionals believe that technology will level the playing field and convey advantage to small companies.

Businesses that embrace technology’s potential to boost productivity, improve employee engagement and drive innovation today can get a head-start on creating the more intelligent workplace of the future,” said Darren Fields, Vice President UK & Ireland, Citrix. “By adopting more flexible work models and using technology to better support workers, organisations can not only empower staff to work more productively in the way that suits them but also free employees up to focus on more meaningful and rewarding work.”

To gain additional insights into the future of work and creating an environment in which your employees and business can thrive, click here and download a complimentary copy of Work 2035.

*Citrix, Work 2035 report