16,671 working people. Eleven countries. Four continents. One survey. New global research from Indeed sheds light on how today’s workers think AI will transform the workplace — plus, what those changes mean for HR, talent acquisition and DEIB+.
Work in 2024 is remarkably different than just five years ago — and looking ahead, it’s clear that further change is on the way. How prepared is today’s workforce for the future of work? Do workers feel confident adapting to the demands of rapidly changing AI technology, or do they fear falling behind? To find out, we went straight to the source.
In partnership with YouGov, Indeed asked 16,671 workers around the world how they’re feeling during this time of transformation and what they expect the future of work will hold.
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Our special report, Tomorrow’s World: The Workforce and Workplace of the Future, reveals what employees, managers and human resources (HR) decision-makers in 11 nations have to say about:
- How their roles will change (both short- and long-term) and whether they feel up to the challenge
- The threats, and opportunities, posed by AI
- The relative strengths of humans and machines
- The importance of skills and training, and who is responsible for securing them
- What role HR and talent attraction (TA) will play in the future workplace
- Whether organizations are doing enough on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB+) initiatives, and how this might change in years to come
We also tapped three top automation authorities — Aaron Benanav, author of “Automation and the Future of Work”; Peter Frase, author of “Four Futures: Life After Capitalism’; and Matt Burney, Senior Strategic Advisor at Indeed — for insight on how AI-powered technology will likely change the way we work.
Plus, learn how to future-proof your workplace with strategies like building age-diverse teams, embracing skills-first workplaces and investing in strong DEIB+ initiatives that will help organizations prepare for a complex, yet potentially rewarding, future.
Want to learn more? Keep reading for additional details and a sneak peek of what’s inside.
Why did Indeed decide to conduct a survey about the future of work and the workplace, and why now?
As the number-one job site in the world and a leading matching and hiring platform, Indeed keeps a finger on the pulse of workforce and workplace trends. Between the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerating leaps in AI technology, the future of work is more uncertain than ever. Many employers and workers share a tangible unease about what this means for their jobs and careers, as well as for their companies and workforces.
But for those feeling anxious, the future of work doesn’t have to be a crisis. If approached the right way, it actually holds a significant opportunity. The goal of this report is to help HR and talent acquisition leaders navigate the complexities of the changing workplace and talent landscape.
Inside “Tomorrow’s World: The Workforce and Workplace of the Future,” you’ll find valuable insights into the state of the modern workforce and how workers today feel about AI-driven transformation. In addition, you’ll get tips from a panel of experts who unpack what you need to know about a tech-heavy, skills-led, multigenerational and ever-changing workplace.
Who was surveyed for the workforce and workplace of the future report?
On behalf of Indeed, the market research and data analytics firm YouGov conducted this survey online across 11 countries (Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, the Netherlands, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States) from November 30 to December 21, 2023, with 16,671 members of the working population responding.
Survey participants comprised 9,592 employees, 4,592 employers/managers and 2,487 HR decision-makers, with a broadly similar distribution across countries.
When citing data from this report, please use: Indeed Survey with YouGov, December 2023.
How does understanding current worker sentiments about the future of work help employers and recruiters today?
By understanding how the global workforce feels about where the world of work is headed, you can better prepare your talent attraction and retention strategies for future workplace trends and challenges.
For example, some might assume older workers would feel less prepared for an AI-powered future and require more training and support in order to adjust. But our survey found that those over age 65 actually feel the most confident about tech-based changes in their roles. An overwhelming majority (91%) feel assured about their ability to adapt, with only 7% saying they’re not confident.
This knowledge, which can help you capitalize on the strengths of a multigenerational workforce and widen your talent pool, is only one example of the insights contained in the report.
Will AI automation impact or eliminate jobs of the future?
When asked recently if he was excited or concerned about AI, Indeed CEO Chris Hyams simply answered, “Yes.” The answer is the same when considering whether AI will impact or eliminate jobs of the future: It will likely eliminate some jobs but also transform, create or enhance others.
So does AI have the potential to completely replace human workers? Those with AI anxiety can rest assured that, for many roles, a human touch will remain pivotal.
“More and more people are working in services, and the kind of work they’re doing has proven really hard to automate,” says Benanav in the report. “It’s really hard to get robots to do a lot of this work because it requires a lot of judgment and working in fast-paced environments that are rapidly changing.”
Does the report include actionable talent attraction and retention strategies?
Now that you have an idea of what sentiments are shaping today’s workforce — and what the experts have to say about the impact of AI — what strategies can you employ to capitalize on this knowledge? In other words, what can you do about it?
To empower readers, we concluded “Tomorrow’s World: The Workforce and Workplace of the Future” with a section titled “The road ahead: 4 ways to embrace change,” which pairs some of the most significant takeaways from the report with actionable strategies.
You’ll learn how to:
- Harness employee excitement about changing technology and AI to ensure your workforce remains engaged, not apprehensive.
- Integrate older generations of workers into your business strategy to play to the strengths of an aging workforce.
- Continue investing in DEIB+ initiatives to support a high-performance and thriving workforce.
- Support a more agile, fluid and successful organization by focusing on skills over rigid job functions.
To get prepared for the future of work, download the full report now.
