Future of Work

When COVID forced his company to completely shut down, Robert LeBlanc initially felt defeated. But looking at Toyota’s production systems helped him re-invent his business. See how he applied a ‘one-piece flow’ production model to his restaurant and hotel, and how he sees this method as the key to the future success of his industry.

There are 2.5 million domestic workers in America, and by 2030 that number is expected to double. Many are immigrants, and people of color, often underpaid, with little or no job security. But they do the work that makes all other work possible, and it’s work that’s not going anywhere. For many who lose their employment to automation and outsourcing, domestic work may be a viable option.

Today more than 55 million Americans work in the gig economy, which operates through digital platforms like Uber, Lyft and Task Rabbit. Fueled by technological advancements, the gig economy allows workers like Chloe Grishaw to set her own schedule, and know what she’s agreeing to, without any long-term obligations. The freedom and flexibility, however, comes with financial insecurity.

In addition to illuminating the ongoing drivers for disruptions to the world of work – AI, robotics, platform technology, globalization, labor practices -- the pandemic has been a driver of change. Unemployment flipped from lowest in 50 years to highest in a century.

Juan Lopez moved from the military to the oil and gas industry before becoming a wind turbine technician. His path, though not an easy one, is an example of an exciting way to navigate successfully across industries. As this clip shows, working with wind turbines, can be dangerous, but it’s an industry with a future, and Juan knows, if he can keep from getting hurt, he should always have a job.

Alexsandrah Gondora is a human model, but she’s also Shudu, the first world-wide digital model. Camerson-James Wilson works with real models, but recreates the photos he takes in 3D to create digital models, models who don’t get tired, or sick, and can be in many places at one time. But will modelling as an industry be completely replaced by Artificial Intelligence and technology at large?

Before the pandemic, close to 8 million Americans were already using technology to work remotely. Many are entrepreneurial millennials piecing together freelance gigs anywhere in the world, as long as there’s wifi. These digital nomads, like Erick Prince and Mike Holp, enjoy having the freedom to set their own hours and locations, and are leading the conversation about the changing world of work.

In 2019, Stockton, CA mayor Michael Tubbs launched an innovative experiment, giving some residents in low income neighborhoods $500/month, no strings attached. Among others, it helped Tomas Vargas Jr. and his family to avoid homelessness. While controversial, many tech titans see this kind of Universal Basic Income as a response to looming job loss, providing a cushion for people to try new ideas.

Scientist and Entrepreneur Vivienne Ming explores the question, what is the future of work that people are hoping for? As Global Workforce Strategist Ravin Jesuthasan explains, The landscape of work has shifted from ‘I learn, I do, I retire,’ to ‘I learn, I do, I learn, I do,’ ad infinitum. There are no guarantees anymore. So, what does it take to stay relevant in this world of work?