What will work look like in 2045?
If you haven’t heard, AI is pretty hot right now. It’s been making me think a lil’ bit.
Hey, glad you’re here.
At the pace AI is changing our world so rapidly, i’ve been thinking - what will work look like twenty years from now?
Goodbye, Gadgets
I currently work across two MacBook Pros, an iPhone, and two iPads. Since five screens aren’t enough, I also wear an Apple Watch and an Oura ring to track my health and critical notifications. We can discuss my spending habits at a different time, but I have too many gadgets, and I fear I’m not alone. The future will be different. Monitors? Bye. Keyboards? Bye. Physical offices? Bye.
Did you know that companies love saving money?
The next big thing will be virtual and augmented reality. In 2045, we’ll have bionic contacts, allowing you to show multiple screens whenever and wherever you are. Side note: Google Glass was so ahead of its time. Currently in its infancy, the Apple Vision Pro and other similar tech will set the stage for a new world. Picture a time where every role has on-demand immersive training for any skill you can think of—or attending global conferences right from your couch in an immersive way that feels just like the real thing.
Haters will say that Apple isn’t selling enough Vision Pros to be interesting in the future, but do you know what else wasn’t popular when it first came out? Electricity.
Tech will know you better than your therapist
While these technological advancements will revolutionize how we interact with our work environment, the workplace of 2045 will be a game-changer for accessibility. Imagine an environment that analyzes your behavior in real-time, automatically adjusting to your needs without manual setup – whether you have visual, auditory, mobility, or cognitive differences. For those with mental health challenges (i.e., everyone), the system will recognize signs of depression or anxiety, subtly adjusting workloads and schedules without the need to request time off formally. Not only will this level the playing field; it will redefine inclusivity, shifting focus entirely to your output and ideas, independent of physical or environmental constraints.
Please don’t wait until we all have AI therapists; you can and should start seeing one now IRL, thx.
Oh, and remember keyboards? Thought-to-text will be how we express our thoughts, another productivity and accessibility game-changer. Add your obnoxiously loud mechanical keyboard to the relic shelf next to the typewriter.
As these accessibility features become more prevalent, they'll fundamentally change how we work and what we’re valued for in the workplace.
Skills: The New Currency
No one will care about your title, just that you can get the job done. Skill stacking is one of my favorite concepts, and the need will only increase. Imagine a world where your "job" is a fluid combination of analysis, creative problem-solving, and emotional intelligence - all powered by your unique blend of skills.
The future of work won't just value traditional skills; you’ll need to prioritize your ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn. Think of yourself as a constantly evolving Swiss Army knife of talents. The most valuable workers will be those who can seamlessly integrate multiple disciplines. If you haven't read David Epstein's "Range,” now might be a good time - it turns out being a generalist might just be your superpower in this new world.
This shift towards valuing skills over traditional roles will significantly impact how we approach job searching and career development.
Workday Logins: A Thing of the Past
I have over 100 saved logins in my password manager for various roles I’ve applied to over the years. Seriously, I counted. Thankfully, you’ll never have to save another Workday login in the future. Today, we already have sourcing tools (Findem, Seekout, and Recruitbot, to name a few) that can match candidates with roles based on their resumes. What’s next? Imagine a world where your professional profile is constantly updated by AI, tracking your skills, experiences, and preferences in real-time, making traditional job applications obsolete. That obscure Udemy course you started and didn’t finish? Added. That time you started an Etsy shop and sold one thing to your grandma? Added.
Instead of actively applying for roles, AI systems will predict your ideal career trajectory and match you with opportunities before you start looking.
The end of conventional interviews is on the way. In 2045, they’ll be replaced by sophisticated AI-driven assessments, virtual reality simulations, and predictive algorithms that gauge your skills. While this promises more efficient talent allocation and potentially more fulfilling careers, it also raises important questions about privacy, the role of human judgment in hiring, and ensuring fair opportunities for all. Aka, we will still need humans!
While the nature of job searching and hiring may change dramatically, so too will the very structure of work itself.
Welcome to the Future: Choose-Your-Own-Adventure
In 2045, flexibility will be more than a perk—it will be the norm. The big shift? We'll be paid for our knowledge and impact, not our time. Welcome to the flexibility era.
Want to be a fractional worker and juggle multiple projects across different industries and roles? Great. Want to focus on being compensated by sharing your knowledge? Great. It’ll fundamentally change both how we are valued and what we value.
Productivity will continue to skyrocket because everyone will have AI agents automating and doing their mundane work. We will shift from spending hours creating decks and deciphering dashboards to focusing on high-level strategy, creative problem-solving, and nurturing human relationships.
Your day will start with reviewing AI-generated insights, making critical decisions, and collaborating with your team. Grunt work? Bye.
But don’t worry— just because productivity increases doesn’t mean we will be working nonstop—no more hustle culture. Enter Feel Good Productivity. Credit Ali Abdaal for that one; you really should read his book. Ultimately, we’ll be able to get more done while working more on the things that bring us joy. It’ll be a win-win for the bottom line and your mental health. What a concept.
Also, forget about work-life "balance.” Sorry, Henry (Ford), your 5-day work week is done. Hell of a run, though. In 2045, it's all about work-life integration. You'll have the freedom to work when inspiration strikes, take a break when you need to recharge, and structure your time in a way that makes sense for you. With your AI virtual assistants, you'll accomplish more in less time, leaving plenty of room for, you know, actually living your life.
Will AI replace your job?
As we look at these various aspects of future work, it's clear that we're already in a major paradigm shift. Some of you will read this, and no doubt will wonder if AI will take your job. But I don’t think that’s the right question. Instead, ask yourself which parts of your role will be automated and how you will adapt and learn new skills?
Change is scary and hard, but remember, you can do hard things.
Glad you’re here.