Society, Skills and Spaces – Curated Conversations on Futures of Work with Foresight Experts

Abstract

This report is a compilation of expert insights on the futures of work – on the future organizing of work and work spaces as well as the competencies needed in the future digital meanings society. The experts’ insights were obtained through structured interviews conducted for the T-winning Spaces 2035 project with six experienced foresight practitioners, all representing the Millennium Projects Nodes in three continents. The first part of the report discusses big picture questions concerning the futures of work such as a new paradigm of work, paradoxes of work, nature of work, motivations, meanings, and societal transitions, while the second part focuses on specific questions around work spaces and skills needed as well as the new leadership. Everything will be hybrid and much of knowledge work takes place independent of the location. Hybridisation represents itself way people use their time. Work takes the aspects of leisure while leisure becomes more like work. It becomes more difficult to set clear boundaries between these aspects of life. Furthermore, values play an essential part in the futures of work. Work is not only for sustenance and for payment. Rather, people want to work in a way which accommodates their values. However, not everything will change. Work is still paid work even though voluntary work is something people may want to do after their workday. Futures awareness and critical thinking along with empathy and other soft skills will be required competencies for future worklife.