In this first of two webinars on the future of work, we examine the question that is on every organisational leader's mind: how will AI change work? Not in a distant speculative future, but in the next 2-5 years — and in many cases, right now.
Moving Beyond the Automation Fear Narrative
Discussions about AI and work have been dominated by fear: the threat of mass unemployment, the replacement of human workers by machines, the erosion of the middle class. The webinar takes a more nuanced and, ultimately, more useful perspective.
AI will eliminate some jobs. It will transform many more. And it will create entirely new categories of work that don't yet exist. The organisations — and individuals — that navigate this transition successfully will be those who understand which activities are genuinely at risk, which are protected, and how to build the skills and structures needed for the AI-enabled workplace.
A Framework for Thinking About AI and Work
The webinar introduces a practical framework for analysing how AI will change work at the task level, not the job level:
Most jobs consist of a mix of task types:
- Routine cognitive tasks: data entry, scheduling, standard report generation, rule-based decision making — high AI substitution potential
- Routine physical tasks: repetitive physical operations — being transformed by robotics and AI, especially in manufacturing and logistics
- Non-routine cognitive tasks: problem-solving, judgment, creativity, strategic thinking — AI augments but doesn't replace
- Social and relational tasks: negotiation, coaching, relationship management, empathy — most resistant to AI substitution
The key insight: AI is replacing tasks, not jobs. Most jobs contain a mix of task types. The jobs most at risk are those where routine cognitive tasks dominate.
Which Roles Are Being Transformed First
The webinar examines the sectors and roles experiencing the most significant AI-driven transformation:
High Transformation Zones
- Administrative and support functions: scheduling, document processing, expense management, meeting coordination
- Customer service: first-line query handling, standard complaint resolution, account management
- Finance and accounting: reconciliation, report generation, transaction categorisation
- Legal research: document review, case law search, contract analysis
- Marketing operations: content creation, social media management, campaign reporting
Emerging AI-Augmented Roles
New categories of work are emerging that combine domain expertise with AI proficiency:
- AI trainers and quality reviewers: specialists who train, test, and improve AI systems
- Prompt engineers and AI workflow designers: architects of AI-enabled business processes
- Human-AI collaboration specialists: professionals who manage the interface between AI systems and human teams
- AI ethics and governance officers: ensuring responsible AI deployment within organisations
Organisational Preparation: A Practical Roadmap
The webinar concludes with a practical roadmap for organisational preparation:
- AI literacy programme: every employee needs a baseline understanding of AI capabilities and limitations
- Task-level AI audit: identify which tasks across the organisation are candidates for AI augmentation or automation
- Skills gap analysis: understand what human skills will become more valuable as AI handles routine work
- Reskilling investment: build programmes for employees whose roles will change significantly
- Governance framework: establish clear policies for AI deployment, human oversight, and decision accountability
FAQ: How AI Will Change Work
When should we start preparing our workforce for AI-driven change? Now. The organisations that are building AI literacy and piloting automation today are developing structural advantages that will be very difficult to close in 18-24 months. Waiting for AI to become more mature is a competitive risk.
How do we communicate AI change to our workforce without causing alarm? The webinar recommends honest, transparent communication that acknowledges both the opportunities and the challenges. Employees who understand the strategic rationale for AI adoption — and see investment in their reskilling — respond far more constructively than those left in uncertainty.
What human skills become more valuable as AI handles routine work? The webinar identifies four categories: critical thinking and complex problem-solving; creativity and innovation; interpersonal and relationship skills; and ethical reasoning and judgment. These are the skills that neither current nor near-future AI can replicate.