How AI Might Mean Better Work for All. The Changing Rise of The Machines.

Dan #FutureOfWork Sodergren
11 min readOct 11, 2023

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Thoughts from doing the closing Personio keynote with Tom Cheesewright at #Hug23.

Why AI Matters.

In our fast-paced world, there are three things that always seem in short supply: time, money, and energy. We’re constantly looking for ways to make our lives more efficient, productive, and fulfilling. That’s where artificial intelligence (AI) comes in. AI has been a hot topic for a while now, and for good reason.

Which is why I was asked to do a keynote speech about this with my fellow futurist Tom Cheesewright.

For Personio (the HR tech platform) and their flagship cornerstone event in London. Hug23.

Personio’s Hannah Popham wrote a great blog about our keynote here too.

Thanks to Pomona Partners for being my agent and Orange Door (the global events agency) for organizing such an amazing lineup of speakers including:

  • Sir Ranulph Feinnes
  • Steven Bartlett
  • Tom Cheesewright
  • Karen Blackett OBE.
  • And many more…

Thinking About AI: A Game-Changer

AI aka artificial intelligence aka computer intelligence aka LLM and machine learning etc have the potential to revolutionise the way we work and improve the quality of our lives. Into fast become not the fourth industrial. But just like Tom’s own book about high frequency change the fourth industrial revolution has been followed even more quickly.

I believe we are now at the FIFTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION powered by AI. And this is why AI should be on your radar and how it might mean better work for all of us. This revolution will not be televised. It will be made by computers…

Since November 2022, discussions around AI have been gaining momentum. From open AI to the impact on various industries, the buzz about AI is hard to ignore. But why should we be thinking about AI? Well, it holds the promise of transforming the way we work in ways we’ve never imagined before.

AI has the potential to automate repetitive and mundane tasks, freeing up our time for more meaningful and creative work. It can analyse vast amounts of data in seconds, providing valuable insights and helping us make better-informed decisions. With AI by our side, we can work smarter, not harder.

Feeling the Future: Embracing AI

While some may panic about AI taking over jobs, there’s no need to fret. The key is recognizing that AI isn’t here to replace us but to enhance our capabilities. By collaborating with the right people and leveraging the power of AI technology, we can unlock unimaginable possibilities.

AI can support us by augmenting our skills, assisting us in tackling complex problems, and streamlining our workflows. It’s about harnessing the potential of AI as a tool that empowers us to achieve more and make a positive impact in our work and beyond.

Loving the Potential: A Human-Centred Future

Ultimately, the rise of machines, driven by AI, can lead to better work for all of us. With AI managing routine tasks, we have the opportunity to focus on the aspects of our work that ignite our passion and bring us joy. It’s about cultivating a human-centred future of work, where creativity, empathy, and innovation thrive. As Tom says in his talk

“It’s the three C’s: Create, Curate, Communicate.”

By embracing AI and harnessing its power responsibly, we can unlock a new realm of possibilities and create a future that benefits both individuals and society as a whole.As my talk was about how with AI we can have:

“Collaboration, Innovation, and Admiration with AI”

AI has the potential to revolutionise the way we work, making it more efficient, meaningful, and fulfilling. Rather than fearing the rise of machines, we should embrace the opportunities they bring. By thinking about AI, we acknowledge its transformative power and how it can revolutionise various industries.

By feeling the future, we embrace AI as a tool that enhances our capabilities and enables us to achieve more. And by loving the potential, we envision a human-centred future where work is a source of joy and fulfilment. The rise of machines is upon us, and with the right mindset and approach, it can mean better work for all.

The Importance of Collaboration in Business

Collaboration is a crucial aspect of success in the fast-paced world we live in today. Just take a look at the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It took the telephone 72 years to reach 100 million users, but GPT chat bots achieved the same milestone in just 72 days! This exponential rate of change emphasizes the need for businesses to adapt and embrace collaboration.

Not just collaboration with AI and technology but also with each other as well. Which is why I loved being able to use my quote from Matt Phelan’s great book in my closing keynote as well.

And use slide that were a collaboration between myself the great research done by Personio the HR tech company

(Thanks Anna Jager-Elliott for those golden nuggets of information)

As they showed that the fear of AI is simply a skills gap.

“Once HR people can see what AI technology can really do. They no longer fear it.” (Dan Sodergren 2023)

Bridging the Knowledge Gap

Many individuals express concerns about AI, but those fears stem from a lack of understanding. The more we educate ourselves about AI, the less worried we become and the more likely we are to utilise its benefits. AI is not here to steal jobs; instead, it leverages data to provide insights and support decision-making. In today’s world, data is no longer just oil; it’s soil that helps cultivate a positive company culture. By tapping into our own proprietary data sets, we gain immense power to drive growth and success.

As a consultant, leveraging AI can make you even more effective. Recent stats reveal that using GPT-4 can result in 12% more tasks completed on average, 25% faster completion times, and a remarkable 40% improvement in the quality of results. Interestingly, it’s the lower-performing individuals who experience the greatest gains from AI adoption.

Therefore, collaboration becomes paramount for individuals and organisations to drive innovation and harness the full potential of AI. A great example of this would be this blog. Created at half the time due to AI. The machine didn’t write it. But it helped with some of the thinking from listening to my keynote and transcribing it and creating a summary.

Which would normally take me hours to have done manually. Want to know how to do the same — join the www.AIMarketingCourse.co.uk

The Power of AI in Business Transformation

This is the point. This is the power AI.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a game-changing technology that is revolutionising the way we work and operate in the business world. It can save you a HUGE amount of time. But as it is powered by data. It is not without it’s dangers. The wrong data can be poison for an organisation.

Just like carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, data is being generated constantly by human beings. The question then becomes, how can we leverage this data to become more agile and innovative as businesses? It all starts with embracing change and thinking differently.

“Data went from being”oil “ to”soil “. But I think it’s more ephemeral than that. It’s a gas. Which will power the growth of your business.” (Dan Sodergren 2023)

The Impact of AI on the Future of Work

Just like AI has changed my perception of proprietary data. For years, I believed that the future of work would be shaped by hybrid working and the remote work revolution. However, it’s becoming increasingly clear that AI is the real driving force behind the fifth industrial revolution.

With the rapid pace at which AI is evolving, we now have the opportunity to harness radical flexibility and transform not just when and where we work, but also who we work with, what tasks we perform, and how much we can achieve.

Leaders must embrace this AI moment and adapt to the complexities and uncertainties it brings. Vision, skills, incentives, resources, and action plans are crucial for success in navigating this period of high complex change.

The next two to three years will be fundamentally different from anything we have known before, and AI is set to become a superpower that revolutionises the way we operate and excel in various fields. This technology is a great leveller, democratising skills and talent, allowing anyone to tap into their full potential with the power of AI.

We can all become AMAZING… with data.

In today’s fast-paced world, finding ways to maximise productivity is crucial. And one tool that has revolutionised productivity is AI technology. Just like how washing machines saved us time and energy, AI can give us an extra brain to optimize our workflow. While some may be sceptical about AI being better than us, the reality is that it can amaze even the brightest minds.

Take the example of John Amaechi, an expert psychologist and award-winning author. Even with his impressive credentials, I was able to show him something new in just a few minutes, thanks to AI. And that’s the beauty of it- you don’t have to be a coding expert or spend years on data science courses to harness its power. With AI, even an average person can become a C grade data scientist, which is pretty good!

Just imagine what someone as clever as John can do. Or has done already. To improve his business and his clients businesses at https://www.apsintel.com/

You may have already heard of GPT-4, the latest offering in AI technology. With just £20 a month, you can access an array of amazing features. And one feature that stands out is code interpreter.

Now, you don’t need to know how to code or be a data scientist to perform advanced data analysis. With the code interpreter, you can unlock the potential of AI to analyse text, datasets, Python code, and even manipulate images. But what truly sets it apart is the ability to perform custom data analysis.

Imagine being able to analyse your own data without relying on external experts or spending valuable time learning complex coding languages. The code interpreter allows every person in the room, regardless of their background, to become a data scientist and gain insights that can drive better decision-making. So, why wait? Write down “code interpreter” go and google it (or Bing it) and explore this powerful AI tool that can transform the way you work.

The rise of AI is transforming the business landscape, presenting an opportunity for companies and individuals to thrive in a world filled with high complex change. By embracing AI and leveraging the power of data, businesses can become more agile and innovative.

Collaboration, Innovation, and Admiration:

What we need is to bring the humane back into human resources and be the opposite of what the CIA represents — the good people. We want to be the ones who prioritise collaboration, innovation, and admiration. With AI, we can gain time back by investing a bit of energy and resources into it.

In the past, it was those who didn’t know about computers that got replaced by those who did. Then came the internet and social media. Now, it’s the people who use AI that will replace those who don’t. This is the reason for the cliché,

“AI won’t replace you, but somebody using AI will.”

The great thing is that we all have the power to use AI. If you want to be amazing with AI, start by lobbying and talking to your leaders. If you’re a leader yourself, think about your own people and invest in AI technology.

The cost of living crisis shouldn’t hinder you from allocating £20 a month for this purpose. Just imagine the possibilities.

Those who embrace AI gain the advantage of time, while those who don’t risk being left behind. So let’s take charge, be proactive, and leverage the power of AI to stay ahead in this evolving digital landscape.

This is the FIFTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.

Time waits for no one…

Remember change is the only constant.

Are you going to “constantly be” ready for change?

Links for the blog:

About the Author

Ted X talker, keynote speaker, public speaker, serial tech startup founder, ex marketing agency owner, AI evangelist and now media spokesperson. Dan Sodergren’s main area of interest is the future of work, technology, AI and data. And those tech startups and ideas that are helping the world become a better place. Not only to work but to live as well.

You can hire Dan Sodergren through a variety of agencies for his keynote speaking and public speaking for your events.

Co-founder of several cutting edge before their time tech companies including www.YourFLOCK.co.uk — the employee feedback platform and now the www.aimarketingcourse.co.uk using AI to help entrepreneurs with their marketing.

In his spare time, when not being a professional speaker for corporate clients and an author on technology and the future of work. Dan is a digital marketing and technology expert for TV shows and the BBC. Donning the cape of consumer champion and tech futurist on shows like BBC WatchDog, the One Show and RipOffBritain and being a marketing tech specialist for SuperShoppers and RealFakeAndUnknown and BBC Breakfast.

He is also a guest on podcasts and webinars public speaking as a tech futurist and advocate of responsible artificial intelligence. As well as being a guest on countless radio shows. And a remote reporter / content creator for tech companies at tech events and shows.

His main interest is in the future. Be that the future of marketing, or the future or work or how technology will change the world for the better under the #Tech4Good, #Tech4All, #AIforGood movements.

Find out more on bit.ly/DanSodergren and his books on https://futureofwork.gumroad.com/

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Dan #FutureOfWork Sodergren

#PublicSpeaker #TedxTalk #KeynoteSpeaker talks on the #FutureOfWork #Tech and #AI. Expert / guest on national TV / Radio and podcasts. Co-founder of YourFLOCK